Welcome To The Waterline by Montecito Journal

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WELCOME TO THE WATERLINE

(photo by Blake Bronstad | www.blakebronstad.com)

Ten years ago, it was just another run-down building in the Funk Zone; today it’s home to wildly popular businesses such as Lama Dog Tap Room and The Nook. Now, Topa Topa Brewing Co, Blair Fox Cellars, and The Guilded Table have been added to the mix. (Story begins on page 5)

THE CAPITALIST P.6 • BEER GUY P.8 • THE HUB P.12 • SYV SNAPSHOT P.36

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usiness Beat – The Funk Zone’s latest destination is Waterline, which now B includes Topa Topa Brewing, Blair Fox Cellars and Fox Wine, and The Guilded Table. Chantal Peterson has the inside scoop.

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The Capitalist – At year’s end, Jeff Harding puts a positive spin on what to expect and why we should be excited and optimistic State Street Scribe – Saints alive! From Nicholas to Santa Baby is not exactly a straight line, explains Jeff Wing. Beer Guy – Zach Rosen’s holiday greetings include plenty of pints; he recommends a handful of brews that complement wintry weather Fortnight – Brian Setzer Orchestra rocks the Granada; Will Ackerman trio at the Lobero; Rubicon Theatre Company presents A Christmas Carol; Unity of SB hosts Shawn Thies; Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven; and Mannheim Steamroller

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Block Party – Zach Rosen has been around the block – the 300 block of State Street known as The HUB, where a beehive of business is buzzing Art Beat – Jacquelyn De Longe heads west – 10 West, to be exact – where gallery director Jan Ziegler provides insight to the holiday show and new space Made in SB – Chantal Peterson has a clothes encounter with Taiana Giefer, who took the fashion industry by storm Man About Town – Mark Léisuré expounds on Brad Nack’s 100% Reindeer exhibit; Out of the Box’s Lizzie; and New Year’s Eve in Ojai

Plan B – Briana Westmacott is feeling charitable and explains why “It’s better to give than to receive” is much more than a feel-good cliché

Consumer Corner – When Chantal Peterson makes her bed and sleeps in it (not necessarily in that order), she calls upon Johannes Sauer from Suissly

What’s Hanging – Ted Mills spotlights a handful of art shows comprising Angels and Things with Wings, Untitled, oil paintings – and he recommends holiday gifts

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Creative Characters – Zach Rosen Is seeing RED!, specifically the exhibit for which SB CAST and Pacific Pride Foundation join forces

I Heart SB – Elizabeth Rose pens a love letter to San Francisco, where she met two loves among artisans and creatives in the wake of tragedy SYV Snapshot – Eva Van Prooyen previews Winter Pass wine tasting; Corner House Coffee in Los Olivos; Tuesdays at Nielsen’s Market; tree mulching in Buellton; Christmas tree burn in Solvang; Casa Dumetz; Wandering Wine Dog; Recovery Ranch cocoa; and New Year’s sparkling wines

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The original space when it was home to Goodman Reed Motorcars (photo courtesy Miramar Group, Inc.)

by Chantal Peterson Chantal Peterson is a writer, travel enthusiast and a fine artist. She runs a content marketing business for wellness brands, and is an occasional contributor to various local and national publications. Contact Chantal at mypenlives@gmail.com or @moivelle on Instagram.

THE WATERLINE Enter the Waterline, the Funk Zone’s newest destination for quality food, drink, art, and socializing. You may already know the property; since May it’s been home to the insanely popular Lama Dog Tap Room and Bottle Shop and The Nook eatery. (Which, if you haven’t been to yet… where have you been?). Now the entire property is open, including Topa Topa Brewing Co., Blair Fox Cellars and Fox Wine Co., and most recently, The Guilded Table, an artisan collective for local makers and creatives.

Barrett Reed and John Goodman standing in front of The Waterline (photo by Blake Bronstad | www.blakebronstad.com)

or decades now, downtown Santa Barbara’s dining and retail scene has catered, generally speaking, to one of two different groups: those currently in or recently graduated from college, and the more established, middle-age plus crowd. For those seeking alternatives to the two basic choices of bar-hopping on State Street, or fine dining, options have been few and far between. The result has been the neglect of a market that’s seeking lively, culture-rich experiences at a reasonable price point. This is why the Funk Zone has become such a hot spot for so many locals – it provides a new haven for members from each group and everyone in between.

THE BACKSTORY he Waterline is owned, developed, and managed by a local commercial real estate firm called Miramar Group. When I first heard about Miramar Group, I’ll admit I thought they were going to be a small group of mildly intimidating older guys, possibly in suits, definitely from L.A., with icy demeanors and really white teeth. Thankfully, my assumptions couldn’t have been further from the truth. The reality is that Miramar Group comprises young 30-somethings, all of whom grew up together in Montecito, and rather than making me cringe, they made me want to haul them over to Lama Dog and share a few drinks (on them, obviously) in exchange for a few more stories about the Waterline’s rise to success, a rise that began as, well… a really good hunch.

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The Capitalist by Jeff Harding

Jeff Harding is a real estate investor and a writer on economics and finance. He is the former publisher of the Daily Capitalist, a popular economics blog. He is also an adjunct professor at SBCC. He blogs at anIndependentMind.com

Cool Stuff is Making Our Lives Better

orget the election, forget the economy, forget climate change, forget the traffic, and turn your thoughts into some things that have made or will make our lives better. Let’s end the year with an optimistic view and enjoy the holiday season. Here’s why:

Nagging Automobiles What got me to think about good stuff starts with me backing out of a tight driveway after a Christmas party the other night. Our friends live high up in our hills on a narrow road and it was dark. I had to negotiate a stone-lined embankment on one side and a substantial drop-off behind me. I was maneuvering my wife’s car, a small Lexus SUV with all kinds of safety warnings. It told me how close I was to the stone embankment, it warned me of the cars parked on both sides of me, and with the backup camera I knew how far I was from sliding down the mountain. Considering the difficulty, it was easy. Thank you, Toyota. Manufacturers make safer cars because that’s what we demanded. As a result, the death rate per 100 million miles driven has declined from 5.30 in 1990 to 1.12 in 2015, which is a fantastic result (NHSTA data). Safer cars make our lives better. Be grateful.

SBCC’s Promise Santa Barbara City College will give eligible students a free 2-year ride to college. The SBCC Promise program will pay tuition, fees, books, and supplies for full-time students who are local high school graduates. Yes, free. You must enroll within 12 months of graduation (or 12 months of getting out of the military), you must take a minimum of 12 units per semester, and you have to remain in good academic standing (see www.sbccpromise.org). Presently, there are 730 students taking advantage of the Promise. The most impressive thing about it is that no tax dollars are involved. It is funded entirely by private donations to the SBCC Foundation by local citizens who want to see our kids succeed. I am a supporter of the SBCC Foundation, and I ask you to join me to make this program a big success (www.sbccfoundation.org/). It’s for the future of our kids.

Bloodless Surgery Every now and then, you come across something that makes you say, “Wow!” That happened the other night while I watched a BBC news segment about brain surgery without a scalpel. It featured a guy with “essential” tremor, a fairly common condition where the hands tremble for reasons not related to disease. His right hand shook violently and it got worse over time. Scientists have pinpointed an area in the thalamus of the brain that causes the tremor. Usual treatment would involve drilling a hole in the skull and inserting a wire into the area to cauterize the offending node. You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to know that could be dangerous. The new treatment uses focused ultrasound to beam sound waves directly to the node and destroy the tissue. It was done in a lab, not in a surgery. No anesthesia was needed. There was no cutting. The patient was awake and alert and responsive during the procedure. Right after they finished, they showed him with a steady hand, walking out the door. You might think that this is just a one-off thing, but I think it may be the beginning of a new era for surgery. With new breakthroughs in nanotechnology delivering drugs to a specific tumor, ultrasound surgery may one day zap tumors without a scalpel. There are many other trials with ultrasound surgery. Who knows where this will go, but it is exciting.

More Power, Scotty A new battery. SolidEnergy Systems, an MIT spinoff, has invented a new lithium-metal battery that puts out twice the power as a similarly-sized battery.

It uses a unique technology, and it is safe, nonvolatile, and nonflammable. It can be manufactured using existing technology and facilities for Li-ion batteries. The implication for your cell phone is that you can either get a battery lasting twice as long or a phone with more capabilities stuffed into it. They expect to go to production in 2017. A Better Solar Panel. A Swiss startup, Insolight, has set a new efficiency standard for solar panels with a validated 36% yield. The next best panel, produced by the U.S. company SunPower, has a 24.1% yield. The Swiss scientists who developed the new technology claim it was designed with mass manufacturing in mind. The implication here is that solar power is edging into parity with power companies, meaning that if solar generation continues to improve at this rate, solar-powered energy may soon be more cost-efficient. That is important because now the solar industry is riding on government tax credits, which is a form of subsidy. Since subsidies come and go, the industry needs to become profitable on its own to survive. Who wouldn’t want to get off the grid and be green compliant?

How Woodpeckers Will Save Football Concussions are going to change the way America’s favorite sport is played at all levels. Brain damage is not an acceptable byproduct of football. Over time, brain damage is debilitating. Yet the evidence is clear that football players cannot avoid it. What to do? Woodpeckers are going to save football. Researcher Dr. David Smith wondered why woodpeckers didn’t get brain damage from banging their head against a tree all day. When a football player gets hit in the head, hard, the brain sloshes around its cavity, banging against the skull thus causing damage – a concussion. Woodpeckers, he discovered, are able to slightly swell their brains by restricting their jugular veins to keep more blood in the brain. That swelling prevents their brains from banging around their skulls. What if you could do that with humans? Dr. Smith invented a little c-shaped plastic collar that players wear around their necks. Think of it as little earphones. It puts slight pressure on their jugular veins which – in turn, he hoped – would slightly increase blood in the brain, thus swelling the brain so that it is tighter against the skull. The results? High school football players were monitored over the season for how many head hits they received. It turns out, a lot: 800 hits greater than 20Gs. Guess what? Players not wearing the collar had brain damage. Players wearing the collar had “significantly” less damage. Stay tuned. Dr. Smith is applying to the FDA to sell the device. It could save players and the game. Get the collar for your kids when it comes out (Q30 Innovations). Life is getting better. Happy Holidays.

Publisher/Editor • Tim Buckley Design/Production • Trent Watanabe Columnists Man About Town • Mark Léisuré Plan B • Briana Westmacott | Food File • Christina Enoch Commercial Corner • Austin Herlihy | The Weekly Capitalist • Jeff Harding The Beer Guy • Zach Rosen | E's Note • Elliana Westmacott Business Beat • Chantal Peterson | What’s Hanging • Ted Mills I Heart SB • Elizabeth Rose | Fortnight • Steven Libowitz State Street Scribe • Jeff Wing | Holistic Deliberation • Allison Antoinette Art Beat • Jacquelyn De Longe | Behind The Vine • Hana-Lee Sedgwick Advertising / Sales Tanis Nelson • 805.689.0304 • tanis@santabarbarasentinel.com Sue Brooks • 805.455.9116 • sue@santabarbarasentinel.com Judson Bardwell • 619.379.1506 • judson@santabarbarasentinel.com Published by SB Sentinel, LLC PRINTED BY NPCP INC., SANTA BARBARA, CA Santa Barbara Sentinel is compiled every other Friday 133 EAST DE LA GUERRA STREET, #182, Santa Barbara 93101 How to reach us: 805.845.1673 • E-MAIL: tim@santabarbarasentinel.com

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STATE STREET SCRIBE by Jeff Wing

Jeff is a journalist, raconteur, autodidact, and polysyllable enthusiast. A long-time resident of SB, he takes great delight in chronicling the lesser known facets of this gaudy jewel by the sea. Jeff can be reached at jeffwingg@gmail.com.

Yes, Virginia; There is a Santa Claus. He’s a Thin Greek Orphan

eligious conviction is a tough game. Given the strangeness of what we are asked to believe (let alone give our lives to), it’s all our institutions of faith can do to make the experience as familiar and reasonable as possible. Hence the pictures of Jesus which portray Him as an adorably shaggy, tastefully underlit blue-eyed camp counselor from Santa Monica. Gosh forbid the historical Jesus should show up like a wet blanket and wreck His own brand by being all swarthy and dark and serious-like. You turn to look and some scary Middle Eastern guy (Palestine!) is walking behind you with His hands outstretched? You’re gonna season the Lord with a little pepper spray and get the hell outa there. Right? Our spiritual icons had better look, walk, and talk like us or it’s no go, Padre. If we find out one day the Creator has a

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duckbill, or tentacles, or both a duckbill and tentacles? Well, church attendance might fall off a bit. And so we come to Santa Claus. Also known in the United States as Santa Baby, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, and the Red Velveteen Endomorph. Where’d this guy come from? And how come all the other saints are portrayed as starved, sallow-cheeked martyr types in bargain sackcloth, hollow eyes aimed heavenward, one bony hand raised in a cryptic saint-gesture?

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Ho Ho Hey! Yes, our seasonal St. Nick is a helplessly laughing, overfed bag of ham in furtrimmed red velvet. Let’s just charitably describe him as the overdressed outlier in the parade of Saints. Either he or the ...continued p.30

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by Zach Rosen

Winter Feasting with Beer

eer is not often considered a coldweather beverage, though the spices and roasted malts that usually are used in wintry beers have a warming quality that makes beer a good fit for the season. Their complex flavors also lend themselves to the dinner table and many winter warmer-style beers pair nicely with traditional holiday foods. Here are a handful of local beers to consider serving this holiday season.

Third Window, The Bruery, and Potek Winery 2016 Bierbara

Zach Rosen is a Certified Cicerone® and beer educator living in Santa Barbara. He uses his background in chemical engineering and the arts to seek out abstract expressions of beer and discover how beer pairs with life.

urbara is the traditional dish of wheat grains, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise, and sugar that is eaten during The Feast of Saint Barbara. For the past few years, Third Window Brewing Co, Potek Winery, and The Bruery have gotten together to make a beer inspired by the dish that honors our town’s namesake. The recipe changes each year and the 2016 vintage is a Belgian-style golden strong with Potek’s Riesling grapes, dried apricots, star anise, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It has a marigold hue adorned by aromas of apricot, peach, and cookie dough with the tartness of green grapes and a complex spice character. It is only available for a limited time, so pick up a growler while it is still about. The 2016 Bierbara pairs well with a traditional ham dinner accompanied by sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. This is the second year that the three collaborators have held a beer and wine dinner on the night of Saint Barbara’s feast day (December 4). The dinner is a night of drinks and revelry featuring beverages from all three Bierbara collaborators and food by the neighboring Wildwood Kitchen. It was recently held on a brisk night with guests dining on one long table running alongside the brewery. Heaters and candlelight warmed the conversation as Third Window’s Kris Parker, The Bruery’s Patrick Rue, and Potek’s Dave Potter hosted the dinner. The meal began with a glasses of lager and sparkling Shiraz paired with an amuse-bouche that included a stuffed mushroom, bratwurst bite, and roasted squash soup. The first course was grilled little gems lettuce salad with parsnips, beets, radishes, carrots, walnut pesto, and aged goat cheese alongside The Bruery Humulus Terreux, a 100-percent Brettanomyces-fermented IPA, and 2014 Potek Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard. Humulus Terreux has the aromas of green mangoes and Brettanomyces funk with a grassy background. The main course was smoked pork belly paired with the star of the show, 2016 Bierbara. The beer accented the pork’s peppery spice rub and complemented the earthiness of the Brussels sprouts and toasted mustard side dish. Dessert was a smoked vanilla pot de crème with fresh baked madeleines and a persimmon compote. It was served next to 2014 Potek Ice Wine, Kick on Ranch Vineyard, and The Bruery Blue BBLs, a soured imperial Russian stout with blueberries and aged in bourbon barrels. Blue BBLs has a ripe berry flavor with a touch of acidity and a rich chocolate character.

Figueroa Mountain 6th Anniversary Ale

igueroa Mountain Brewing Co.’s anniversary falls on the holiday season and their anniversary ale released each year is always a nice choice for a festive meal. This year’s 6th Anniversary Grand Cru Ale is a blend between three barrel types with the final mixture coming in at 50-percent whiskey barrels, 15-percent grape brandy barrels, and 35-percent apple pear Calvados barrels. Calvados is an apple (sometimes with pear) brandy that only comes from the Normandy region of France (similar to how champagne only comes from the Champagne region of France). The barrels are extremely rare, so when the Figueroa Mountain crew knew they would be getting their hands on some it immediately became the theme for this year’s anniversary beer. This blend balanced the smokiness of the whiskey with the fruit-forward flavors of the Calvados and brandy barrels. This beer’s brown sugar, wood char, and fruity aromas, combined with its high

alcohol content, makes it a good fit for duck or goose, both of which often find themselves onto the dinner tables during this time of year. I recently served this beer alongside a duck with apple and orange stuffing, dumplings, and roasted root vegetables. The high alcohol content cuts through the duck fat while the stuffing encourages the brandy character in the beer. The whiskey barrel flavors add a smoky accent to the duck that also draws out an earthiness in the root veggies. Figueroa Mountain held their own beer and food soirée at their 6th Anniversary Party in Buellton. The event was a rare chance to taste the single barrel-aged beers that went into the blended Grand Cru. It featured small bites paired with each of the three barrel types and ended with the final blended version. The apple pear Calvados barrel was served first. It had a pear and cookie dough flavor accented by aromas of almond nougat and caramel apple. This version was served next to a butter poached lobster with saffron beurre blanc atop a fine herb polenta cake. The gentle fruit notes of the beer blended with the decadence of the buttery lobster and was sharpened by the herbs. The second barrel featured in the blend came from a grape brandy, which brought out more of a dried plum and cocoa-like flavor in the beer. This version was served alongside a torchon (duck paté) with candied orange onion marmalade, butter-fried brioche, and pickled onion. The hotter alcohol notes of the beer cut through the richness of the dish, while the marmalade and brioche brought out the wheat malt character. A Tennessee whiskey barrel was used as the final component in the blend. This version had a burnt-wood character with a gentle brown sugar and vanilla flavor. It was served with a sugar-seared venison and salsa verde on top of a herbed crostini. The beer blended with the salty, smoky flavor of the venison, and the acidity of the salsa cut some of the beer’s sweetness. The blended 6th Anniversary Grand Cru was served alongside a caramelized pork belly and grilled pineapple skewer that highlighted the fruitiness of the beer and brought out some of the warmth of the alcohol.

Telegraph Winter Ale

ow in its 10th year of production, Telegraph Winter Ale blends a Belgian-style dark strong ale with Mexican hot chocolate. Brewed with crystal and chocolate malts and spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and Ancho chilies, this beer has an invigorating flavor of sweet malts and warming spices while remaining fairly dry and brisk. The spiciness of the chilies is subtle and just leaves a warmth in the chest that is soothed by the caramel and raisin flavors of the beer. Holiday tamales are a long-standing tradition in my family, Telegraph Winter Ale goes and this brew goes perfectly with a full plate of tamales and well with holiday tamales fresh salsas. The combination of roasted malts and spices in (photo by Tony Modugno) this brew especially lends itself to a red mole sauce. Moles can be intimidating to make but as long as you take your time, have a decent blender, and plenty of bowls to keep the different purées separated, it is not nearly as daunting as one might think. Mole freezes fairly well, so I suggest making a large batch and storing some of it in your freezer. Just add a little water or broth when reheating. Telegraph’s Winter Ale is a good food beer in general and can go with beef stews, roasts, and other wintry dishes.

Firestone Walker XX Anniversary Ale

X Anniversary Ale marks the 20th anniversary of Firestone Walker. Each year Firestone Walker invites out a group of local vintners to peruse a selection of Firestone’s beers and concoct their own blend. Once finished, the group sits down for a blind tasting where they sample one another’s mixtures and determine which one they like best. Out of the 17 vintners this year, Scott Hawley of Torrin Vineyard designed the winning blend. XX Anniversary Ale has strong notes of cocoa, vanilla, coconut, and an accent of peppery oak with a rich undertone of pie Firestone Walker XX Anniversary Ale is a cherries and brandy. The decadent flavor of this good nightcap and pairs well with a range of brew make it a nice accompaniment to a wide desserts range of desserts. Try it alongside everything from chocolate cakes to ice creams or crème brulée to bring out the fruitcake-like character of this brew. The beer comes individually boxed in a 22-oz bottle with a full page of tasting notes, making it nice to give as a gift or end your eve.

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116-120 SANTA BARBARA ST general info: 805 - 845 - 1482 www.waterlinesb.com

“We believe in thinking big and staying small. We think vans are better for camping than commuting. We believe these boots were made for hiking, not just walking. When the waves are epic, we think sharing them with a friend makes them even better. We believe in tasting life to its fullest, one sip at a time.”

“You can taste love in great food. Be it a taco stand or Michelin starred restaurant in France, the love of the person creating it is what elevates food from good g to great, & Norbert’s love for what he’s doing has always been our secret.”

“Blair Fox fashions small lots of exceptionally high quality wines...unquestionably worthy of consumer interest. One of the more brilliant portfolios of Rhone Rangers I’ve tasted on the Central Coast...back to back vintages of great wines - powerful, rich, concentrated, age-worthy and impressively made” - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

With twenty rotating taps of craft beer, Lama Dog offers the widest range of the best beers in Santa Barbara. Whether you want to enjoy a draught in our taproom, are looking for that hard-to-find bottle in our walk-in cooler or want to try some of Santa Barbara’s best wine, Lama Dog has you covered.

“We believe in the power of good vibes and great beers.”

PRIVATE EVENTS AVAILABLE IN EACH OR ALL OF THE SPACES. Call 805.845.1482

HOLIDAY ARTS MARKET Take care of your entire gift list at our artisan collective! Have a glass of wine while you peruse local handmade goods, art & wares from:

BED-STU - BLANKA - SALT & STEEL ASHER MARKET - ACE RIVINGTON MEADOW ROSE - JULES BY THE SEA SB

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theFortnight

16 DEC – 13 JAN Big Band Bash

eopard-print pants and slashing electric guitar solos definitely weren’t de rigueur during the heyday of the Big Band Era in the 1930s and ‘40s. Then along came Brian Setzer, the onetime front man of rockabilly swing trio Stray Cats – which scored a number of pop hits a century later, in the 1980s and ‘90s – giving the hornladen ensemble thing a try. Somehow it worked. The charismatic Setzer slapped his trademark guitar licks and way-outfront vocal style with aggressively rocking big-band arrangements to create the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The group did pretty well right off the bat, but really found its niche during the December holiday season, when their brand of retro classic Christmas songs and holiday originals captures attention of folks on both the naughty and nice lists. All four of the BSO’s holiday albums have become best-sellers of the season, including the latest uptempo effort, Rockin’ Rudolph, released last year. The three-time Grammy-Award winner and his 19-piece orchestra bring their Christmas Rocks! show to the Granada Theatre on Monday, December 19, for an 7:30 pm date that should not only knock your stockings off, but also give you a chance to kick up both of your feet, as audience members can boogie to the beat on a dance floor set up immediately in front of the stage. The

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by Steven Libowitz

Tell us all about your art opening, performance, dance party, book signing, sale of something we can’t live without, or event of any other kind by emailing fortnight@santabarbarasentinel.com. If our readers can go to it, look at it, eat it, or buy it, we want to know about it and will consider it for inclusion here. Special consideration will be given to interesting, exploratory, unfamiliar, and unusual items. We give calendar preference to those who take the time to submit a picture along with their listing.

new addition to the Granada’s offerings brings the opulently decorated theater even more in line with the golden days. Tickets are $44-$89. Call 899-2222 or visit www.granadasb.org.

that she actually loved the book, full of Dickens’s rich language and the full arc of the story, and she decided to try her hand at adapting it herself. RTC debuted her version – fashioned in the Book It style, where actors both play characters and serve as narrators, allowing keeping large swathes of the language intact as well as adding more back story – just last year, and the show has already become a

Merry Mellow Monday

ou know how record companies fall all over one another trying to cash in on the latest trend, be it boy bands or electronica? Well, time was when the hottest new genre in the land was not hot at all. Rather, it was the cool and pristine sounds of solo acoustic guitar and piano, courtesy of Windham Hill Records, which sold so many albums that labels launched competing subsidiaries of their own, and soon added New Age as a Grammy category. Self-taught guitarist Will Ackerman, who founded Windham Hill back in 1976, sold off the label by the mid-1990s to return to his roots as a carpenter way back East in Vermont while continuing as a record producer at his own studio for which he felled the trees, logged the lumber, and built from scratch. Last year, Ackerman was coaxed back out on the road to join his former label-mates he had signed to Windham Hill – his cousin, the guitarist Alex de Grassi, and pianist, violinist, and vocalist Barbara Higbie – for a tour marking the season. Now the threesome are once again teamed up for this year’s Windham Hill Winter Solstice 30th

BEGINNING JANUARY 9, 2017

Anniversary concert marking three decades since the multi-platinum selling Winter Solstice series of albums, which featured selections from the label roster, first began. Multiple Grammy winner Ackerman, Grammy nominees DeGrassi and Higbie will be joined by bassist Todd Boston, whose CD Touched by the Sun he co-produced a few years ago, and cellist Ellen Sanders, of San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Opera San Jose, for a show that celebrates solstice with both original and traditional acoustic music drawn from the Winter Solstice series and their own solo records. If the concert at 8 pm Monday, December 19, at the Lobero Theatre doesn’t warm your soul and ease your mind from noticing that there are only five more shopping days till Christmas, best check your pulse. Tickets are $39 & $49. Call 9630761 or visit www.lobero.com.

Dickens of a Carol

eah, I know. You’ve seen A Christmas Carol so many times that you immediately cringe at any word that sounds like Scrooge. There have been any number of versions of the story – from animated movie to TV specials – to wrap the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center with Jacob Marley’s chains all the way to the top. And somewhere rattling around in your brain is the idea that Tiny Tim, bless his little heart, should have just walked into the emergency room at Seattle Grace Hospital (Grey’s Anatomy) to get his problem cured and get on with it. Then along came Kara Lynn Burns. The co-founder of Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre Company (RTC) was as fedup as anyone with the way Charles Dickens’s timeless tale of redemption had been mangled on stage and film, which is why RTC had never mounted its own production. But then one of her staffers asked why, and she recalled

holiday staple. Broadway, TV, and film veterans Peter Van Norden and Joe Spano are back reprising their roles as Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley, heading a 25-member cast that earned rave reviews from critics from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles last December in which some of the characters even sing, adding music to the theatricality. Brian McDonald, whose query sparked Burns’s re-write, once again directs. There’s just one week left to capture this modern-day message piece that’s also a lot of fun, as Rubicon’s A Christmas Carol winds up its Wednesdays through Sundays run at the Ventura venue on Christmas Eve. Tickets are $40 to $65, $5 less for seniors, while students get in for $35 and military members pay $40. Call 667-2900 or visit www. rubicontheatre.org.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Thies

anta Barbara singer-songwriter Shawn Thies’s annual concert at Unity of Santa Barbara has become a real tradition in town over its dozen years in the space. Thies’s supporting players include such local luminaries as Brian Mann, Randy Tico, John O’Connor, Tom Lackner, and Lorenzo Martinez – all terrific players who have backed some of the best musicians in Santa Barbara and beyond – while the “& Friends” part of the band features special guests Tom Ball, Benedikt Brydern, and David West, the latter a multi-instrumentalist whose production studio has become a little Santa Barbara gem since he left the Cache Valley Drifters. Grab your sweetheart and/ or invite the family and friends to join you in Unity’s Sanctuary (227 E. Arrellaga Street) to bring in the spirit of the season with a warm, inspirational performance of music featuring both original and traditional Christmas

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songs. Showtime is 7:30 pm, and there is a $10-$15 suggested donation at the door, free for kids 12 and under. For more info, check in with Thies at 4553829 or shawnthies@cox.net, or Unity at 966-2239 or www.santabarbaraunity. org/shawn-thies-christmas-concert.

Camper, Cracker, and Christmas

kay, truth be told, the Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven concert at the Lobero on Wednesday, December 28, really has nothing to do with the holidays at all. It just happens to be a convenient time for the two bands – who share pop-punk guitarist David Lowery as leader – to tour together, as they’ve done for a whole bunch of years in a row now, stopping at the Lobero annually. Camper sports irony-laced lyrics layered on top of wildly eclectic music that defies categorization while Cracker adds California country twang to an otherwise aggressive alt-rock approach. This is big-boy music for both head and feet, with a little bit of heart tossed in among the intellectual salad. Now that doesn’t sound much like Christmas at all, does it? Tickets for the 8 pm show are just $29, which even Scrooge would probably pony up for this kind of musical bargain. Call 9630761 or visit www.lobero.com.

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Chip In

annheim Steamroller mastermind Chip Davis may be a genius who created a signature dense electronicladen sound that quickly captured the holiday music field. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of his first Christmas Tour following the release of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, one of the best-selling holiday records of all time. Of the 40 million albums Mannheim Steamroller has sold over the years, more than 28 million are in the Christmas genre. Their albums consistently zoom to the top spots on Billboard’s seasonal charts every year, now numbering 19 gold, four platinum, and eight multi-platinum certified records. But here’s the thing: apparently Davis isn’t so good with a calendar, as this year’s Santa Barbara stop comes on Thursday, December 29, four nights after Santa slides down the chimney. Your call if you’re still open to hearing Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics alongside a selection of compositions from Davis’s Fresh Aire series. I guess the dazzling, coordinated multimedia effects might work as a preview for a fiery New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $34 to $93 and available online at www.granadasb.org or call 899-2222.

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BLOCK PARTY COME TO THE HUB

very local knows the block. It’s on Gutierrez and just off of State, the small streets, Motor Way and Parker Way, wrapping around the block. They’ve likely stopped into RoCo for a quick cup of coffee, grabbed lunch at Lilly’s Taqueria, or just parked their car in the lot conveniently located there. Many of the businesses on the block have been there for years, if not decades, and are familiar with all Santa Barbarians. But for a long time, you would just identify the location by rattling off some of the establishment names such as Yoga Soup or Backyard Bowls. Until now. Recently this community of small, locally owned businesses have banded together to establish their own identity.

Join us in

by Zach Rosen

Located on 300 block of State Street, next to the city parking lot, this block has now been dubbed The HUB. The name was derived by Auna Salome, part of the Folio Press & Paperie team. It identifies this area as a bustling center

celebrating the gift of love.

of activity and transportation where people can park and grab a bite to eat, do some yoga, or pick up a gift. This one-stop shopping center is located where State State and the 101 freeway meet with the Amtrak station nearby and the beach just a few blocks away. Motor Way, which runs along the block, was also a historical street where the early automobile industry was located in Santa Barbara. Today it is still a center of activity, featuring popular eateries, spas, and places to go gift shopping or help decorate your home. GRAB A BITE OR A BREW he HUB offers a range of food establishments that suit any time of day. Santa Barbara Roasting Co., often just called RoCo, opened in 1989 as a small coffee company and shop and has since expanded into the wholesale market, supplying much of

the coffee to Santa Barbara’s restaurants and establishments. While you can find their coffee at many of the local restaurants and coffee shops, visiting RoCo in the HUB is the best way to taste a cup of their wide-range, fresh roasted blends (I must admit that many Sentinel articles have been fueled by RoCo’s coffee). There are painted murals filling the walls of their spacious shop and the front doors are often open, letting in a beach breeze that adds notes of sand and ocean to the roasted aromas in the air. Each batch of coffee is micro-roasted, and guests can watch them work the roaster as they sip on their brew, making it a great place to get work done, or a quick and easy spot to grab some caffeine. You can even take home a bag of your favorite blend for your morning brew or as a locally produced gift. ...continued p.14

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship December 24th at 7:00 PM

Christmas Morning Celebration December 25th at 10:00 AM

We look forward to seeing you in worship in 2017. Join us Sundays at 9:30 am 3721 Modoc Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 EmanuelLutheranSB.org info@emanuelLutheranSB.org 805.687.3734

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...continued from p.12 The HUB’s Santa Barbara Roasting Co is a great spot to grab a cup of coffee and get some work done

Backyard Bowls is a popular spot for a quick, energizing breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack that is both healthy and delicious. Their bowls are a delightful blend of flavors and textures, contrasting the crunchiness of granola with the smooth, sweet blended base of acai berries, banana, and other tasty additions. They also offer heartier oatmeal and quinoa bowls or light smoothies that appeal to a wide range of appetites and hunger levels. Next door is Chocolate Maya. Entering this store is like stepping into another world. The room has rich colors, and it is hard not to get captivated by the rows of beautiful confections that are appealing to the eye but even more enthralling to taste. Chocolate Maya now has an attached

lounge that is an enchanting spot to grab something sweet with a significant others.   Around the corner is D’Angelo’s Pastry & Bread, a classic in Santa Barbara, and walking by you’ll be enticed by the aromas of freshly baked bread pouring out onto the street. You can take home one of their many different styles of freshly baked breads or sit down for a full breakfast or quick pastry. Also in the HUB is Juice Ranch, a premier juicer offering a range of raw, cold-pressed juices. The ingredients used are 100-percent organic and 90-percent locally sourced being served in glass bottles that are more environmentally sound than plastic and free of chemicals such as BPA.

Lilly’s Taqueria is a mainstay in Santa Barbara and has repeatedly won awards for their simple but delicious menu. Tucked away on Chapala Street, the place is bustling with a line often going out the door. Their straightforward menu is what tacos are all about. They offer a range of classic fillings, including adobada (marinated pork) or asada (beef ), and even more traditional ingredients such as lengua (beef tongue) or cabeza (beef head). Just choose your meat and top your tacos with a selection of freshly cut garnishes and salsas. Lilly’s Taqueria is a great place to swing by for a small bite at lunch or to grab some dinner with friends before starting your evening. TREAT YOURSELF he HUB is also a premier spot for pampering yourself with a full range of spas and beauty bars to meet different needs. Carlyle Salon and Style Bar is fashioned after the Old Hollywood era and provides styling and haircuts for both females and males, in addition to waxing and nail services. Le Reve Organic Day Spa & Boutique is a warm space that offers a full range of spa services with a focus on green spa practices. Come in for a soothing treatment or plan a bachelorette party

Chocolate Maya, located in the HUB, produces a selection of confections that border on art

Jeanine Guerra, owner of Crimson Day Spa, lash stylist, esthetician and Santa Barbara resident for 45 years said it’s been “a dream come true serving Santa Barbara for over 12 years.”

there. Crimson Day Spa has a sunny interior and focuses on organic, EcoCertified, and animal cruelty-free products and treatments. Spend a day ...continued p.22

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We believe doing what you love is beautiful and that everything beautiful needs to be shared. We believe having the wisdom to take care of yourself is not vain, but rather it is showing love for yourself and for your loved ones. We believe true inner peace comes from forgiveness; forgiving yourself and forgiving others. All of us here at Crimson Day Spa wish you and your loved ones Beauty, Good Health and Peace this holiday season. Jeanine, Kristine, Marcie, Monica & Madison

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ARTBEAT

by jacquelyn De Longe

Jacquelyn’s creative interests earned her a degree in fine art from Art Center College of Design, followed by years in the Los Angeles art world working for major galleries and prominent artists. She is regularly published in West Coast newspapers and magazines, in addition to working as a producer and director in the performing arts. She is an advocate for children’s art programs and, she is not afraid to dance down the aisle at the grocery store with her kids when Talking Heads plays overhead. Contact Jacquelyn at www.delongewrites.com.

HEAD WEST FOR THE HOLIDAY Marilyn McRae, Turbulence (detail)

Karen Zazon, Koi Joy

Mary Thompson, An Angelica Bronze

Gallery director Jan Ziegler was available during my impromptu visit, where she told me about the new space and what we can expect:

addy-corner to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is the collective gallery, 10 West, featuring contemporary art by local artists. With new exhibits every month, there is always something to see from the 20 abstract and contemporary artists who are members of the collective.

For their holiday show, 10 West’s salon-style display showcases one larger piece and a few gift-sized artworks, from each of the artists. Here, you can see work by Santa Barbara’s Mesa artist, Karin Aggeler, Giacometti-inspired sculptor Mary Dee Thompson, and collage artist Marilyn McRae.

folio press and paperie SHOP LO CAL amazing gifts & cards personalized stationery in-house design & printing complimentary gift wrapping LO CATED IN THE HU B

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MOTOR WAY • SA N TA BA RBA R A

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Q. This seems to be a more collaborative space where the artists and the gallery director (yourself ) work together to create interesting exhibits. Is that the case for this show? Is that how most of the shows happen? A. 10 West Gallery is a cooperative of artists from the Santa Barbara area. Each month, I hang a new show featuring nine of the artists. My job as director is to schedule the artists, design the shows with the new pieces they bring on delivery day each month, submit press releases, and be present in the gallery from Thursday through Monday, noon to 5:30 pm. What is your previous experience in the art world before becoming a gallery director? For more than a year now, I have curated the artwork at MichaelKate Interiors, which gave me experience designing shows and pairing artists. I have been director of the Abstract Art Collective for three years, where I met many talented abstract and contemporary artists in our area. How have the first seven months been since 10 West Gallery opened? So many viewers have commented on how refreshing it is to have a welllit, well-appointed gallery space in Santa Barbara showing non-traditional artwork. As a cooperative, we do not have the funds to advertise much, so we take the slower approach of wordof-mouth and social media. Every week new people discover the gallery, both locals and from L.A and the Bay Area. We’ve made some sales and remain optimistic for the future. First Thursday Art Walk seems to be

Karin Aggeler Almost-There

Diane Giles, And So It Begins

integral to every month’s opening? The 1st Thursday Art Walks are noisy, crowded, and fun! They are the opening reception date of each new exhibit. Instead of showing from the 1st of each month to the 30th, we hang a new show on the Wednesday before each 1st Thursday Art Walk. What can we expect in the new year? Are there any exhibits planned? Any visiting artists? The new year will look pretty much like our first seven months with new work every month, and guest artists filling in to make nine artists per show. Pippa Blake, a U.K. artist who lives a few months of each year in Santa Barbara, will be guest artist in February 2017. 10 West Gallery will be keeping this current show up through January. So next time you’re out on the town, stop in and take a peek at what this community of local artists is up to.

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MADEINSB

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by Chantal Peterson

TAIANA DESIGN

Taiana Giefer (photo by Gilda)

f you were fortunate enough to have a piece of your destiny handed to you unexpectedly, you would do everything in your power to respond to divine intervention, wouldn’t you? Most likely, you would – unless, of course, the terms of your success were subject to totally unrealistic deadlines, high-stakes expectations, and had to be achieved in a matter of 24 hours. This is a unique story of success in the face of crazy expectations that most people would cripple under. This is a story of how one multi-talented local artisan made her entrance into the high-fashion world, all within about a month’s time, and under unlikely circumstances. THE GENESIS STORY Taiana Giefer grew up in the Hollywood Hills and moved with her family at the age of 10 to Toro Canyon where she has lived since. During her college years, Taiana spent her summers in Germany, visiting her father’s side of the family and studying the language. She remembers that she’d spent many afternoons hanging out with a particularly crafty aunt who one day invited her to go to a wool felting class. Taiana went along just for fun and made something that could pass for a fabric belt, but she could never have known that those few hours of her life would shape the next decade of her life significantly. Felting, for those who don’t know (most don’t), is a complex sort of weaving process that involves the use of raw merino wool that has been carted and combed. Boiling hot water is applied to the wool in order to agitate the fibers, which become more porous with heat, and which will then fuse back together like glue when cooling takes place (think: massive woolen dreadlock). While the fibers are open, the wool can be manipulated and shaped, forming, basically, any shape the artist wants. It’s an irreversible process, so it’s sort of like sculpting with wool. It is this age-old art form that Giefer has taken to high fashion runways around the world. A few years after the auspicious felting class, Taiana was living in New York growing a modeling career, when her boyfriend at the time, who was designing jewelry for Calvin Klein, suggested that she show designer Francisco Costa (Calvin Klein’s principal designer at the

time) her felting work. Taiana says the suggestion was based on nothing more than a strong intuition her boyfriend had, and he suggested she bring the felt “belts” that she’d made a few years prior to the designer as samples. She did so that next morning, and the unlikely Hollywood-style magic happened: Francisco Costa fell in love with the felted object that very afternoon. He asked if she could make a large blanket-like fabric for him. Francisco also asked if she could make it by 8 the next morning. It was 5 pm. Taiana hadn’t felted since the day she learned how, three years prior, and wasn’t even sure she’d remember how. She didn’t even know where to go for the material and most shops would soon be closed. Naturally, she said yes to the ridiculous request. In a beautiful and maddening unfolding of events that evening, she managed to find what seemed to be the only place in NYC that sold the raw wool material she needed (called “roving”), all this while circling the city collecting the additional materials required to pull it off in one night. She says she spent the night “trying to remember how to make felt.” She was living in an old, abandoned noodle factory in Brooklyn, which had cement floors, making for a great workspace, but which was extremely cold to work through the night in, immersed in wet wool. She spent all night working and without having had a minute of sleep, brought the fabric piece into Calvin Klein the next morning. “At this point, I had been up all night working on it and had no idea what it really looked like or if it was what he wanted,” Taiana recounts. “I thought: I don’t know if this looks like shavings from a dog salon or if it looks like haute couture.” FRANCISCO COSTA, LUCKILY FOR HER, THOUGHT THE LATTER The room that morning was full of all the big dogs, and Francisco had everyone lined up to see the fabric. He asked the fit model to put it on; Taiana remembers the model coming out with the felted fabric wrapped around her body and everyone’s jaws just drop – they all love it. After the group disperses, Francisco tells her he’d been up all night thinking about the fabric and how he wanted to include it in the huge runway show coming up one week later for New York Fashion Week. Could she, he asks, make five more fabric panels that night? Naturally, she said yes, to this (slightly more) absurd request. This same sequence of events repeated itself for four more nights, during which time Taiana hardly slept and somehow still managed to show

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up for casting calls for runway shows she was modeling in. Her fabrics ended up being made into dresses and jackets for the Calvin Klein runway show that year, and everyone went nuts for the look. Subsequently, there was tons of press and excitement among the highfashion community, and suddenly Taiana Giefer was the new hot designer on the New York fashion scene. She had clients wanting to place orders for her felt pieces, which took the form of scarves of all shapes and sizes. Thus, Taiana Design was born. After the madness of fashion week, she came back home to SB to create the line in a studio at her parents’ home in Toro Canyon. At tis point, it had been a matter of two weeks since Taiana made that first panel for Calvin Klein. During this period, Kendall Conrad – owner of local high-end boutique in Montecito by the same name – saw Taiana’s designs and connected her to someone at Maxfields in L.A. (the “it” place for the best of the best in fashion design). The buyer at Maxfields loved the scarves, bought all of what she had, and ordered more on the spot. In a magical sequence of seemingly divinely inspired events, Taiana scarves fell into the hands of some of the top boutiques in the world. She was getting the kind of opportunities in one month’s time that most designers work for their entire lives. WHERE TO GO FROM THE TOP? Today, about eight years after the birth of Taiana Design, business is thriving and Taiana continues to get orders from all over the world. She photographs her own product for her website and Instagram, and often models it herself as well. She notes that there’s a sort of organic rhythm to how her work travels through the fashion world. She says that people come to her product because it’s so unique – she doesn’t really need to market it. Taiana has a new collection of scarves coming out soon that has inspirations sourced from her travels in the Mediterranean this year. Her patrons, supporters, and friends are also super-excited for another new collection, which she has been working on for the past year, which is more of a (non-wearable) art collection of large wall tapestries. The latest work will debut sometime 2017. Images aren’t available to the public yet, but you can bet it will be as spectacular as the genesis story of Taiana Design itself. www.taiana.com

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...continued from p.14

The HUB is a nice place to relax and get a treatment at spas such as Le Reve

indulging yourself there with facials, massages, and nail treatments. For a more healing session, visit Evolutions Medical & Day Spa. In addition to their regular spa treatments, Evolutions offers services that address conditions such as acne, hair loss, skin rejuvenation, or other aesthetic health concerns. Also in the HUB is Three Treasures Acupuncture & Wellness Center that focuses more on eastern treatments for healing ailments. Their services include acupuncture, tui na massage, and qi gong among others.

GIVE A GIFT everal stores that are ideal for gift shopping or decorating your own home can also be found in the HUB. Wootton Printing was founded in 1931 and is the oldest, continually operating printing company in Santa Barbara. When current owners Frank and Marlene Bucy took it over in 2006, they soon established Folio Press & Paperie, and in 2013 they moved the two businesses to their current location in the HUB, near Wootton’s original location. Folio offers a mesmerizing

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range of fine stationery, pens, and stunning gift items for the home. Wootton Printing remains dedicated to design and in-house printing in both modern and traditional techniques like letterpress and off-set printing. It is the perfect place to have your invitations, business cards, or fliers printed. More good gifts can be found at Chapala & Parker in the HUB. This bright clothing store specializes in providing well-made and hand-selected female wearables that make a fine gift or a treat for oneself. Elizabeth Gordon Gallery (E.G.G.) is a fine-art dealer featuring established contemporary artists and socially engaged works. Located on the corner of Motor Way and Gutierrez St., one can stop out front and get lost in their large window display. A HUB neighbor is Santa Barbara Art Frame Co. who has framed high-end works by artists such as Picasso and Dali. They offer a range of framing services and even do custom mirror frames, providing museum and preservation quality framing services alongside an immense knowledge on the topic. On the other side of Motor Way is Hayward’s 1890. Established in 1890, Hayward’s has been furnishing Santa Barbara for more than 100 years with their expansive store of outdoor and patio furniture. Peruse the warehouse

space and look through their wide selection of high-quality chairs, umbrellas, and other deck and outdoor items. Harlequin’s Theatrical Supply has been open since 1981, moving from down the block to their current location in 1994, and has helped clothe many of Santa Barbara’s dancers and performers. They focus on dance wear and shoes for a full range of styles. In addition, Harlequin’s also offers a range of theatrical supplies including makeup and stage accessories such as lighting gels and Gaffer’s tape. Wu Shu Studio is next door and has been offering classes in martial arts to adult and children since 1979. They focus on Chinese Kenpo Karate, Kung Fu, and kickboxing among other styles. For a gentler exercise form, Yoga Soup is located around the corner. One of Santa Barbara’s longestablished yoga studios, it offers a range of classes for both beginners and more experienced practitioners. These businesses have all been providing services to the community for years, but now as The HUB they have a sense of community within their own neighborhood.

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with Mark Léisuré

Mark spends much of his time wandering Santa Barbara and environs, enjoying the simple things that come his way. A show here, a benefit there, he is generally out and about and typically has a good time. He says that he writes “when he feels the urge” and doesn’t want his identity known for fear of an experience that is “less than authentic.” So he remains at large, roaming the town, having fun. Be warned.

Housing for the Herd

ey, I know I wrote about Brad Nack’s 100% Reindeer exhibit in our last issue. But gosh darn, I always seem to forget just how compelling those crazy critters are during the other 364 days of the year, until I get down to Roy and see the tiny paintings (4” x 5”) hanging on the wall. What a marvelous collection this time around, 50 fabulous fellows in all. Nack had told me how some of the pieces represented his election-season and post-election emotions, though I’m not so sure his statement about how they “reflect the opposite of how I am internalizing the world” was all that accurate. I mean, quite a few of the reindeer boasted upset or even angry expressions, and one antlered beasts even had the words “no no no” in his mouth in what at first just looked like teeth (clever fellow, that Nack). Anyway, I got there too late to grab up any of the favorites I’d previewed the night before, when a few of us stopped in for a drink after a workshop while the artist was readying the show. And now I’m experiencing non-buyer’s remorse, having passed up on the leftovers, some of which were also quite captivating. If you made the same mistake, or didn’t even get down to Roy at all for the two-hour window, there’s good news. Nack has put the 2016 remainders up for sale online, along with some stragglers from previous years’ herds, on his Etsy page, www.etsy.com/shop/

bradnack. The “no no no” dude, which happens to be called “Reindeer No. 1” – though Nack let on it wasn’t the first one he finished, as those honors go to No. 37 (artists don’t have to be logical, right?) – was still available at this writing, by the way. But I might have already bought it by the time you read this. Sorry. Not.

Ax-actly Right Speaking of regrets, I also rue slipping out before the second half of Out of the Box’s (OOB) production of Lizzie, the rock musical about the 1890s Massachusetts ax murderer Lizzie Borden. Yeah, I wasn’t feeling all that great, and the combination of loud songs, aggressive actions, and bright flashing lights didn’t do much for my headache. The relatively static staging – no fault of OOB, as that’s the way it was written to be produced – also didn’t compel me to stick around, even though the acting was terrific from the fine cast of four headed by Katie Moya as the title character. But then a tune kept running through my head for the next several days, and it wasn’t until almost a week later that I realized it was from “The House of Borden”, the first post-prologue number in Lizzie. Kinda wish I’d bucked up and came back for Act II, but given that I knew the actresses would all be performing in lingerie for the rest of the play, the fact that I didn’t means I really wasn’t up to it. What I am up for is whatever Out of the Box decided to produce, as this wonderful company founded and run by local native Samantha Eve has been a terrific addition to the Santa Barbara theater scene, one that fearlessly mounts shows no one else would touch. And I’m pretty damn sure I’ll make it all the way through the new musical version of High Fidelity, which OOB brings to the Center Stage Theater next April 20-30.

Nawlins in Ojai for New Year’s If you’re still looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve and don’t mind schlepping almost 70 miles round-trip on a day known for an excess of drunk driving, you might want to consider the Ojai Concert Series show at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club. The event represents a slight change in format from previous years, as the sit-down concert portion of the evening has been excised in favor of a speakeasy-themed dance party, featuring the Crowfoot, the band built around local players Mark Parson on vocals and fiddle, Lee Rollag on guitar, vocals and fiddle, Rick Borella on bass, Roger Reid on drums and vocals, and Marcel Pappillion on fiddle, guitar, flute, and vocals. Their “Eclectic Music for Eccentric People” encompasses Cajun, jazz, country, soul, blues, funk, and R&B. (Crowfoot also will be featured at the 2017 Ojai Mardi Gras’s Fais-Do-Do, slated for March 5-6.) Ojai Mardi Gras Wake-Up! Krewe is providing the decorations, so you should also deck out in the (optional) dress code of flapper or swinging 1920s attire. Tickets for the 8 pm to 12:30 am event are just $25 in advance, $30 at the door, crazy cheap for the night of the year when just about any other public place goes for the gouging, and includes a hors d’oeuvre potluck and a champagne toast at midnight. Info and tickets at 665-8852 or www.ojaiconcertseries.com.

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PLANB by Briana Westmacott

Wishing you peace and tranquility throughout the holidays. Love, B

When Briana isn’t lecturing for her writing courses at UCSB and SBCC, she contributes to The Santa Barbara Skinny, Wake & Wander and Flutter Magazine. Along with her passion for writing and all things Santa Barbara, much of her time is spent multitasking through her days as a mother, wife, sister, want-to-be chef and travel junky. Writing is an outlet that ensures mental stability... usually.

GIVE A LITTLE BIT

his is it. The holiday push is upon us. You’re scrambling. Rambling. Possibly crazed. I’m here to help! One of my most cherished gifts that I received last year was from my mom. She donated to a charity in our name and it made me feel better than any of the other items I unwrapped. Not that I didn’t like the spoils, but the gift of giving sticks with you much longer than the stuff. So, I’ve put together a list of local charities and nonprofits that devote their everyday existence to making the lives of those in need better. Why not give the gift of giving this season? LifeChronicles was founded by Kate Carter in 1998. Her mission is to capture life stories of individuals who are battling serious illnesses. By preserving these stories, LifeChronicles offers families a way to hold onto precious memories forever. They make a 60-to-90-minute film that enables families to have a lasting legacy of their loved ones. You can find

out more about LifeChronicles and make a donation at www.lifechronicles.org The Organic Soup Kitchen (OSK) is a nonprofit devoted to providing wholesome organic food to community members in need. Not only do they serve to shelters and the homeless population, but they also deliver soups as “nutritional therapy” for people battling cancer and degenerative disease. OSK uses local farms and organic food sources to maximize their community outreach while minimizing their carbon footprint. You can find out how to volunteer and/or donate at www.organicsoupkitchen.org. The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation aims to help families in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties who are faced with a horrible diagnosis: their children have cancer. Teddy Bear steps in to support not only the cancer patient but the entire family as well. Founded by Nikki Katz, Teddy Bear recognized that pediatric cancer is a

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tragedy, and they work diligently to provide strength and support for local families faced with this diagnosis. Teddy Bear has many options for donation and fundraising assistance. Visit www. teddybearcancerfoundation.org for more information. Two Santa Barbara natives started Destined for Grace: Rebecca Costa Smith and Lindsey Connolly. For seven years, these women have worked tirelessly to establish two thrift storefronts that continue to help fund their school in Haiti. The Destined for Grace School now serves 210 students and has a brandnew location. Whether you would like to sponsor a child’s tuition for a year or school supplies, Destined for Grace has options for you to provide your support. Help this local foundation make a difference in our global community: www.destinedforgrace.org Hearts for Horses brings horses together with people to help those with disabilities. Hearts has 10 horses and serves more than 80 riders per week to provide lessons for children and adults with special needs. You can help fund their scholarship program, provide money for therapeutic lessons, or sponsor a horse. Learn more at www.heartsriding.org. DAWG stands for Dog Adoption and Welfare Group. This shelter houses dogs in Santa Barbara and provides adoption and foster services. You can make a contribution to help support their services or you can volunteer your time. Or… you could go home with a living package that will provide a lifetime of love. Woof. www.sbdawg.org

BRIANA’S BEST BET

yle’s Kitchen in Goleta not only makes a delicious burger and salad, but they also donate a portion of their proceeds to a different charity each month. Displayed along a long wall in the restaurant, you can read about all of the money Kyle’s Kitchen has donated to various charity causes. Stop by for a yummy meal and leave with a full stomach and heart. www. kyleskitchen.com One final tip: I had my kids help me to assemble “blessing bags.” In a large Ziploc, we put socks, toiletries, granola bars, nuts, a $5 bill, and any other items that may be handy for someone on the street. I keep a couple in the back of my car and when we see a person collecting money on the street, we give them a blessing bag. It has been wellreceived and it feels good to give. There you have it – a mighty list of options to dedicate to your loved ones. Surprise Aunt Helen with a donation to LifeChronicles; gift your nephew Jack a desk in his name for the kids in Haiti; sponsor a Hearts rider from Grandpa Joe; give your daughter a Teddy Bear Cancer contribution; your mom would love to know her present is helping the Organic Soup Kitchen to feed the sick and hungry; and don’t forget to stuff a DAWG certificate of donation in the stocking from Santa. What a great way to spread joy! Whether you give a little bit or a lot, the gift of giving is priceless.

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uying a mattress seems like a relatively mundane activity. It’s also one of those things, like shopping for a pair of jeans, that A) takes some serious research and try-on time to find the perfect fit, and B) is really worth investing in, considering the amount of time you spend in it/(them). In a perfect world, the buying a mattress is simple and straightforward. In a perfect world, you could customize your mattress, yogurtland-style, with all the features and add-ons and particularities you like. After all, don’t we spend about one-third of our lives sleeping? Well, it’s certainly not a perfect world, but turns out that the modern mattress shopping experience has made leaps and bounds. You can now build your own high-quality mattress online and have it shipped to your door in a box. One local company, Suissly, is helping customers do just that. “We design and create collections that make people’s bedrooms more comfortable, more playable, and more livable,” said CEO and co-founder Johannes Sauer. “When we create stuff, we pay attention to tiny details so that our product is much more than just a standard bed.” Sauer came to Santa Barbara with 10 years in the bed industry, having worked for a long time in movable furniture (think moving stand-up desks and transportable and adjustable beds). A relationship with executives from local company Ergomotion, which makes adjustable bed foundations, brought Johannes here. That, he says, and the amazing weather (a given), as well as being attracted to the growing entrepreneurial atmosphere. Now with a team of nine local employees, Suissly hit the ground running and is meeting

early success already. When Sauer launched Suissly this fall, he took his years of experience in the bedding industry, and created a more innovative and modern spin on the mattress buying experience. “The process of buying a mattress online is way easier and more effortless in comparison to going to a retail mattress store and dealing with an overwhelming amount of products and sales people.” As to not being able to try the mattress in person, Suissly offers customers a 100-night trial and an on-call customer experience team that can guide people through the buying process over the phone, email, or live chat. He also made a strong point to use eco-friendly materials including certified organic latex in the mattresses, some organic cottons with the bedding, and are delivered in boxes made from recycled materials. Also cool: everything is made and sourced to the largest degree possible in America, and all foams used in Suissly mattresses meet strict standards for content, emissions, and durability and are analyzed by independent, accredited testing labs. On the other side of the business, Sauer also took into consideration that, other than sleeping, most people spend a good chunk of their lives at work, so he set out to create a business with a fun work environment – a place where people would actually want to work. Now that comes a little bit closer to my idea of a perfect world.

The Suissly showroom is located at 511 Olive St. in Santa Barbara. Visit Suissly. com or call (844) 642-3179. Email Suissly: hello@suissly.com. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/Suissly/ Twitter: @ sleepsuissly

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...continued from p.7

rest of the saints missed a memo. Good people, let’s briefly discuss the historical Saint Nicholas. The real St. Nick, still venerated by the Catholic church, was an unshowered do-gooder in the 4th century who you could probably smell coming from a couple pléthron away. But his earnest good deeds earned him a spot in the Saints Social Register and later the humiliation of being co-opted by a lil’ commercial juggernaut we have the nerve to call Christmas. The tune goes something like this: In 270 A.D., a Greek guy named Nicholas of Myra was born in a city called Patara, on the south coast of today’s Turkey. His folks were reportedly very liquid (financially well-off, that is) but raised their son to be a pious Christian lad and not a sports-car-crashing jackass. When he was but a pious teen, his parents were unfortunately both swept away by one of the many epidemics then routinely making the rounds of the Civilized-but not-particularly hygienic world, and Nicholas was left all alone with more dough than he knew what to do with. So like any ordinary teenager with a boatload of untethered parental cash and the world at his feet, he began lavishing his inherited riches on the poor and continued to do so into his adulthood. He is known to have

made a holy pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine, and sometime after returning to his hometown he was made Bishop of Myra.

Roman Holiday. Not. Before long, the Romans came calling, in particular the legally emboldened henchmen of Diocletian. He is the Roman Emperor generally held to have been the last of the fraidycat Roman Emperors to openly and broadly make Christianity illegal, and an offense punishable by arrest and execution. (Whatever else you can say about the whole Christianity thing, it certainly seemed to scare the bejesus out of Imperial Rome). Nicholas was by then pretty well-known throughout his district as a Dudley Do-Right for Christ, and was of course arrested and tossed in the slammer, presumably by men wearing togas and stern expressions. To Nick’s great good fortune, Constantine, a big fan of Christianity, soon enough became emperor of the whole of the Roman Empire. In 313, Constantine’s Edict of Milan gave Christians legal status throughout the Roman Empire, causing the joyous release of many imprisoned believers and the disappointment of a generation of lions.

Bed bugs feed on the blood of humans by inserting a sharp proboscis or beak into the victim’s skin, are full within 5-10 minutes and good for several days. Bed bug bites are small, red, and itchy, sometimes causes inflammation. During her life cycle, a female bed bug can lay up to 200 eggs.

In his lifetime, and in the gossipy centuries thereafter, many many many acts of kindness and mercy were ascribed to Nicholas. One in particular that made the rounds was that of his rescue of three penniless maidens. They had reached marrying age and their father, broke and panicked, had nothing to provide his daughters in the way of a dowry. In that time, a young woman would not be able to marry without a dowry; her family’s donation to the marriage, and a kind of security deposit to be returned to her family on the occasion of divorce, the husband’s faithlessness, or any other distasteful misstep. Without dowries the young ladies were simply not marrying material, and the other options in that day were unsavory, it is said. Well, as the maidens and their pauper-papa bemoaned their penury, who should show up but Saint I’m-Wealthy-andNice.

Bachelorettes Strike Gold Nicholas is said, by one account, to have left three bags of gold just inside the door of the man’s home the night before the suitors (who were in love, but not so much so that they were delusional) were to say their conditional fare-thee-wells. By another account, the bags of gold are stealthily dropped into the daughters’ stockings as they are drying before the fire in the wee hours, and in yet another version the gold bags come flying in through a window of the guy’s demure little shack. In any case, our custom of receiving gifts from Santa has its provenance in this story of Nicholas’s gifting this timely dough to the three previously hopeless bachelorettes. It’s also suggested that the pawnbroker’s symbol of three gold balls descends from this tradition (you know what I mean), as does the old-timey idea of giving oranges for

Christmas to profoundly disappointed kids on the prairie, who even then were obliged to put on brave faces and act delighted. “Wow, cool. An orange.” Et cetera. Nowadays, the orange has been replaced by the less worthy Apple line of products, but that is a carol for another Christmas. By the time Nicholas of Myra died in 345, he was a rock star of kindness and charity and mercy. And how exactly did that Turkish guy become the morbidly obese, red velvet-swaddled, maniacally laughing Santa Claus we all know and love today? Haddon Sundblom.

Miss December? There’s Always Next Year. You heard me. H-a-d-d-o-n S-u-n-db-l-o-m. The commercial artist was hired by the Coca-Cola company to cook them up an ad campaign that would more efficaciously move their soda pop to the masses over the winter holidays, when Coke sales (and those of other soft drinks) experienced a perennial slump due to the cold weather. The year was 1931. Yes, Santa Claus (a murmured, European immigrant-accented version of “St. Nicholas”) had been portrayed as a dour, bearded fellow in American popular culture before, but it wasn’t until Sundblom got the commission that Kris Kringle’s garb took on the corporate colors of the Coca-Cola company. That’s right. It’s no coincidence Santa’s ensemble is the same color as a Coke can. It’s also worth noting that Sundblom’s very last professional assignment as an illustrator was in 1972. December, to be exact; the cover of Playboy magazine’s Christmas issue that year. No, that ain’t Santa you’re looking at. And it certainly isn’t St. Nicholas. Happy Holidays, pals. Hug everyone you see.

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WHAT’SHANGING? T with Ted Mills

UNTITLED

Ted Mills is a local writer, filmmaker, artist, and podcaster on the arts. You can listen to him at www.funkzonepodcast.com. He currently has a seismically dubious stack of books by his bed. Have an upcoming show you’d like us to know about? Please email: tedmills@gmail.com

HOLIDAY ART SHOWS

happy holiday season to all my readers! Yes, this has been a troublesome year, not all what I expected on those first, sunny days of January. But you know what artists do among all the misery, death, and destruction? We create. As one friend said to me just yesterday, it’s the only way he’s keeping sane, the only way he’s making sense of the whole world. When we create, we go into that sublime, timeless zone where just the doing matters. If you’re feeling the holiday and/or real-life stress, art might just be the thing to ease a troubled mind. Plus, you’ll have something at the end of it, whatever that might be. Now, there’s not a lot going on during these last two weeks of the year art-wise. The art walks are done, the show openings have packed up the unused wine and snacks, and nobody wants to compete with the Christmas spirit. People have family to see and/or to avoid getting into arguments with. There’s last-minute shopping. (There’s also a lot of drinking.) But! There are still shows running to catch up on. Here are some:

alking about the museum, there are exhibitions going on inside while years of construction and remodeling ramp up outside. One to check out through February 5 of 2017 is “Untitled: Drawing from the Schorr Collection”, a small but worthy selection of contemporary works on paper, including collage and mixed media. I’m a particular fan of the Sgt. Peppery piece by Dario Robleto, which looks like two album covers from fantastic psychedelic bands. Also of note, Jon Pylypchuk’s tactile work featuring one of his familiar sad sack cartoon characters; Julie Becker’s melding of architectural drawing and illuminated manuscript; Christian Weihrauch’s Bosch and Balthus-inspired pencil and watercolor pieces. Fourteen artists in total, an interesting cross-section of the taste of collectors Lenore and Herbert Schorr, of the total 50 works they gave the museum. TRIPPY

ANGELS AND THINGS WITH WINGS

urrently open at the Santa Barbara Tennis Club (2375 Foothill Road) is their annual juried competition. Curator Susan Tibbles chose “Angels and Things with Wings” as the theme, and abstract artist Peggy Ferris as juror. The 30 or so artists represent a wide swath of working Santa Barbara artists, from realism to abstract, from photography to assemblage. The partnership of Tibbles with the Tennis Club is a thing we need more of: art in unlikely places, where we least expect it, bringing two types of people together in a weird collision. I’ve often been standing looking at a work in the hall, only to have a swimmer duck into the changing room next door. You don’t see that at the Museum of Art.

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asha Keating produces beautiful large oil paintings of flora that lie somewhere between the formal abstracts of Georgia O’Keeffe and that time you took mushrooms at Disneyland. She currently has a solo show at the Ojai Art Center (113 S. Montgomery St.) through January 4, and it’s worth getting immersed in her unmistakable style. Recently, she’s also been working digitally and producing just as amazing a result. It will be interesting to see where she goes from here. FILE UNDER: REASONS TO PICK UP THE PAPER ON DAY ONE!

here are some final chances to buy art as a holiday gift, which is the greatest gift of all. (Wait, no, that’s life, isn’t it? Or love? Either way, it’s better than socks.) Studio One Eleven (111A Santa Barbara St.) in the Funk Zone will be having the last of its three days this Saturday, December 17, 1 to 5 pm, with cards, T-shirts, metal works, parasols, and more from local artists. On the same day in Ojai, it’s Deck the Halls, the go-to arts and crafts event at the Ojai Rancho Inn (615 W. Ojai Ave.), from noon to 7 pm. Then you can come back into town and head straight for the High Tide Holiday Soirée at 334 Anacapa St., 6 to 11 pm, with more art ‘n’ goods on sale, and in-person artists Matt Rodriguez and Chadillac Green. (Sorry if y’alls are reading this after Saturday). And as far as I can tell, the last chance for art gifts is the Charity Holiday Art Walk at Camino Real, Friday, December 23, though you can go there any day, between 10 am and 4 pm until that final date. After that, there’s not much to do except for the Last Minute Gifts aisle at CVS – and that’s entirely on you. After Christmas, artists from around town will go into hibernation or into their studios, whichever has the best couch, and get ready for a prosperous new year. Are we all ready to see how artists respond to 2017? I am.

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CREATIVE CHARACTERS RED!

rt has long been used to raise social awareness, and SB CAST recently partnered with the Pacific Pride Foundation (PPF) to host RED!, an exhibit that featured art from Abolish Blandness, Clarke Carey Carpe, and Metrov. The evening included a selection of art that focused on gender identity and featured drag performances and music. Red is the color that signifies World AIDS Day, which is held on December 1 each year, and this event served as a benefit for the Pacific Pride Foundation. The PPF began 40 years ago and has since become the prominent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community on the Central Coast, offering education, counseling, and support programs to the area. Their range of assistance includes testing and health services for the LGBTQ+ community and to people living with HIV/AIDS from their offices in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria and their mobile Health Utility Vehicle. Abolish Blandness (www. abolishblandness.com) is a fusion of 2-D and 3-D works by artists Lynn Cunningham Brown and Sara Lytle, whose gallery is located at SBCAST. Lynn sits on the board of the Pacific Pride Foundation, making SBCAST a natural fit as a host for the RED! affair. “Abolish Blandness” is the slogan for their exhibits, and Lynn and Sara have dubbed themselves the “Encruster of Dead Things” and “Paintress of Weird”, respectively. Both artists use vibrant forms and color palettes that complement each other’s works and results in both art styles having a stronger presence in the gallery. Both artists’ works are influenced by their personal process of healing. When Lynn survived a rare form of cancer, she was unable to continue working in her corporate life. After retiring, she began to explore and practice art. Lynn started carefully covering taxidermy and found objects in materials like feathers, sequins, and rhinestones. This process sought to bring life back to dead objects. The political and world events of 2016 have led to a hardening of her material choices as a way to reflect the times, and her newest works are embedded with firmer materials such as studs and metal screws. Her piece “Screwed” consists of the pelvic region of a plastic female mannequin fitted with 6,000 metal screws. The object captures the sensual contours of the female form but has a powerful and intimidating edge from the thousands of screw tips thrusting

Stars + Stripes, 2015, by Patricia Houghton Clarke

by Zach Rosen

Screwed by Lynn Cunningham Brown

out, setting the boundary of a female’s personal space. One of the collections Lynn produced for RED! was a school of bedazzled fish in a vibrant rainbow of colors. This series celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, and 100 percent of the sales from this fish series will go to the Pacific Pride Foundation. Sara began painting as a child, eventually developing a career in textile and fiber art. After suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, she has had to limit her work with fiber and has begun to focus more on her paintings. On display at RED! was her Red Door Series. Each painting contains a house with a red door that is composed of simple lines similar to the first drawing of a house many of us do as a child. The series explores what happens after one steps through the “red door” in our own lives and is meant to be interpreted differently by each person. As one focuses on each painting, figures and object begin to apparate out of the abstract mist of blurred colors and shapes. In addition to some fiber art, Sara also had pieces from her Crow Series on display. The crow has had complex and mixed symbolism throughout history. Crows have represented both creation and death in different cultures and can symbolize both intelligence and craftiness. They are often identified with destiny, second sight, self-identity, and transformation. Sara says that she paints intuitively, and her Crow Series explores the mysticism and magic of the animal. Each crow featured has a whimsical and bold identity with richly colored adornments that seem reminiscent of Latin and African folk art. The show also included works from the artist Metrov (www.metrov.org), who displayed a collection of foundfabric pieces and stone sculptures of Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. One of the main features of RED! was the exhibit

Totem by Lynn Cunningham Brown

“Erasing Lines: Chrysalis,” which included works from multi-media artist Stuart Carey and photographer Patricia Houghton Clarke, who together form the art duo Clark Carey Carpe. Their collection of works explored the fluidity of gender identity and focused on the process of transformation in the drag community. Guests entered their gallery space to Walk: The 49. The abstract painting by Stuart was displayed on the floor and honored the 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub attack in Orlando. Stuart also included two works titled Cosmo Cover 2025 A.D., Vol. 2 and Cosmo Cover 2025 A.D., Vol. 6. These pieces played with what a cover of Cosmopolitan will look like in 10 years while expressing the blurring gender lines in the modeling community. Displayed among these pieces and some of Stuart’s other works were photographs by Patricia. These images were from her eightyear opus of 6,000 photos focused on the Santa Barbara drag community. Some images captured their drag performances, though the main subject matter revolved around the process of transformation. The majority of the photographs were taken during a subject’s transition into character, revealing these women at their most intimate. Each image had its own story to tell, ranging from heart-wrenching resilience to endearing kindness. Near a makeup table in the studio

stood a photo called Flex (2008) showing only a torso flexing their arms in a red dress. Below this sat Leopard + Zebra (2008), an image of a sleek leg emerging from a leopard print gown standing on a zebra carpet. The pair of photos exhibited how strength and sensuality are not mutually exclusive. As guests left, they were faced with one final image, Stars + Stripes (2015), of a drag queen in an American flag tank top, her back pressed against a wall but her chest and arms out in a bold stance. The range of photos are powerful and moving, exploring the sensuality, strength, and confidence found in the drag community. Part of the RED! event included Stuart transforming into his drag counterpart, Amber. Stuart began the depilating process (unwanted hair removal) at 7 am that morning. Patricia captured the transformation with a Polaroid camera, and the photos were peppered throughout the other art works. The process lasted several hours as Stuart shaved his body, applied make-up, and got dressed. Amber sees drag performances not as a new phenomenon, but as celebration of our history, with drag dating back to Elizabethan theater and further. With her stage performances, Amber seeks to harness the lusty emotions of cabaret and jazz. The evening culminated with several drag performances as DJ Darla Bea provided the mood music. Queen of Pride, Vivian Storm, first performed a sultry set followed by drag king Alec N. Humper giving a powerful spoken-word piece before breaking into song. The finale was Amber taking the stage with her supporting jazz band, X-Tet. Guests immersed themselves in the revelry with wine and appetizers as they sang and danced along with the performers. If you would like to see “Erasing Lines: Chrysalis” or speak with Stuart and Patricia, there will be an artist talk moderated by Brett Leigh Dicks this Saturday, December 17, at 3 pm in Studio A of SBCAST (513 Garden St.). You can visit stucarey.com and patriciahoughtonclarke.com for more information on the artists.

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IHeart SB

By Elizabeth Rose

I Heart SB is a social experiment in dating and relationships through stories shared with and experienced by a thirty-something living in the Greater Santa Barbara area. All stories herein are based on actual events. Some names, places, and timelines have been altered to preserve anonymity and, most of all, for your reading enjoyment. Submit stories (maximum 700 words) to letters@santabarbarasentinel.com.

I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO: A LOVE LETTER

ear San Francisco, Everyone has an opinion of you, but I’ve always remained indifferent. Some applaud while others snub, dismissing new evolutions by reliving the old. Through each diatribe and bravado, I’d nod politely, careful not to further engage. But I saw past the hype. Past the lists of pros and cons that run so freely from the lips of your past lovers. Because I secretly yearned to be your lover, too. After all, we hadn’t yet the opportunity. A chance to see if we’d click. But finally, in that perfect moment, you got me and I got you. It was strange and familiar, as first loves tend to be. It was hopeless and romantic. Carnal and primal. I’ll never forget the first moment we met. I jumped out of the car, barely in park, and began skipping your streets! I’m sure it looked odd to the outside world. Even my sweetheart didn’t entirely understand the sudden quickness in my breath. But he saw the sparks and was amused by how happy I was with you. So he sat back and delighted in my indulgence of your hedonistic existence of life. Hungry for you, I famished into surrender. Tranquilized by your presence, I dropped my inhibitions. You gave me space to self-explore. I felt mischievous and naughty. I felt free to be. I floated along. Trudged through. I traveled the gradient of your body, traced upon your cobblestoned veins and found your beauty marks, dimples, and scars – the aftermath of all who’ve entered you. Even through the dank, wet sludge of your underbelly, the dark sides of your personality, I was content. You were (and are) so beautiful. Your imperfections make it easier to relate. Makes me more comfortable with you. And that’s why I love you. Love every bit of you. I even dressed for the occasion. I came prepared. Bold black-andwhite stripes, faux fur, velvet, and sunglasses at night (because even in shadows, you shine bright).

Tranquilized by your presence, I dropped my inhibitions And just when I thought our time was through, you delivered the biggest surprise of all. You gave me Bob! A love in my life I hadn’t seen in, what? Four years? Thank you for that! I bolted out of the Uber as soon as our eyes met on Valencia Street. His hair was long, below his shoulders, and his hat adorned with souvenirs and tokens. He wore three layers of coats and a crystal around his neck. Oh, and two cans of spray paint secured in his back pocket. The few possessions he had left from the fire. Thank God he is safe. I pray for those who didn’t make it. The poets, writers, musicians, and artists. Those now beyond the physical world who bore their souls and their stories for the sake of art. May they rest. R.I.P. Then Bob introduced me to a new love. His name is Anthony. He escaped the fire, too. Just barely. He’s so dynamic, confident, and bold. We bonded over fashion and go-go dancing. While feasting on Indian food, Bob shared the story he’s relived too many times before. I held his hand, disfigured from the flames, and listened. A warehouse party gone grave. He saved many and visualizes those he couldn’t. I can’t imagine. Could have been any of us. The creatives. The artists in need of a place to be freaky. A self-constructed world illuminated by art and weirdos vanished into dust. Created by the people that make the world less… vanilla. Yes, they are now without a home but not without will. And that’s because of you! You give them hope. A blank canvas to construct a future Mecca. They’ve found strength in loss. Voices rising, people gathering. Through the ash, they will parade down the road to Damascus and build a sanctuary again. San Francisco, I became more of a woman with you. Able to express my body to the world the way I’ve only practiced behind closed doors. You were my first taste of polyamory, and I gobbled it up. Finally nourished and fed. Unrestricted and free. Your chameleon soul resurrects and brings forth thousands of lovers, and I am thankful to be just one. Until we meet again.

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SYVSNAPSHOT

by Eva Van Prooyen Keeping a finger on the pulse of the Santa Ynez Valley: what to eat, where to go, who to meet, and what to drink. Pretty much everything and anything situated between the Santa Ynez and San Rafael Mountains that could tickle one’s interest.

TEQUILA, BUBBLES, AND MORNING GLORY MUFFIN WINTER WINE TASTING PASS TO SWIRL YOU INTO THE NEW YEAR ne pass, one price, 14 beautiful Santa Ynez Valley wineries to taste through. Winter Pass participants will receive one wine tasting at each participating Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association tasting room, which equates to more than140 in value. Reservations are not required, there are no blackout dates, so pass holders can choose their favorite time for tasting from now through January 31, 2017. Passes expire when all 14 wine tastings have been used, or on January 31— whichever occurs first. Participating wineries include: Alexander & Wayne, Arthur Earl, Buttonwood Farm Winery, Carivintas Winery, Casa Cassara Wines, Daniel Gehrs Wines, Dreamcôte Wine Company, Imagine Wine, Kalyra Winery, Lincourt Vineyards, Lucas & Lewellen, Lucky Dogg Winery, Rideau Vineyard, and Toccata Wines. (The Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association represents the premier boutique wineries in Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton.) When: Tuesday, December 13, through Saturday, January 31, from 10 am to 5 pm Where: Throughout the Santa Ynez Valley vineyards Cost: $40 per winter wine taster Info: www.santaynezwinecountry.com or call (800) 563-3138

DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN? orner House Coffee in Los Olivos recently changed hands to new owners Ron and Deborah Alex, who in turn brought in Susan and Winston Sullivan of Tutti’s restaurant fame to run their food operation. Tutti’s flourished on Coast Village Road in Montecito for 19 years, where Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf sets up shop. Since then, the husband and wife restaurateur team opened (and closed) Tuttini’s in Santa Barbara and Tutti’s Off Main in Ventura. Under Susan’s culinary expertise and direction, Corner House Coffee is offering a classic assortment of breakfast and lunch items including: Susan’s legendary Morning Glory muffin, huevos rancheros, homemade granola, sandwiches, and quiche. The rustic coffee shop constructed of exposed stained wood and a corrugated tin roof features a variety of cozy sitting areas inside and out and a comprehensive coffee, tea, and smoothie bar to complete the menu. When: Open daily Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 7 am to 5 pm. Where: 2902 San Marcos Avenue in Los Olivos Info: www.cornerhousecoffee.com

TEQUILA TUESDAYS or more than 100 years, Nielsen’s Market has been a part of the Santa Ynez Valley’s grocery scene, and now every Tuesday they offer a tasting and 20-percent discount on tequilas. Tasters and bargain hunters will find tequila producers like Santa Ynez’s very own Mike Lopez, of Una Mas Tequila pouring their 100-percent agave nectar tequila. Una Mas Tequila is grown, maintained, and harvested near one of the oldest Pueblos in Jalisco, Mexico, Tlalcosahua, and produces fine quality tequila suitable for sipping. Una Mas was the Silver Medal Winner of the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Awards. Rumor has it, Nielsen’s also occasionally hosts a Whiskey Wednesday. When: Every single Tuesday of every single month Where: Nielsen’s Market, 608 Alamo Pintado Road in Solvang Info: (805) 689-4597

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CHRISTMAS TREE MULCHING IN BUELLTON ring your Christmas tree to River View Park and pick up some fresh pine mulch. You can drop off your tree at River View Park starting Wednesday, December 28. When: All mulching will occur on Saturday, January 14, between 9 am and noon. Where: River View Park in Buellton Cost: Free

CHRISTMAS TREE BURN IN SOLVANG ome observe the spectacular flames as the Christmas tree pile is ignited in Solvang. The fire department will offer safety tips and demonstrations alongside band music and concessions. When: Friday, January 6, from 5 to 7 pm Where: Santa Inès Mission, 1760 Mission Drive in Solvang Cost: Free

COOKIES, WINE, AND WORDS TO LIVE BY asa Dumetz and Babi’s Beer Emporium owner and winemaker, Sonja Magdevski, hosts a Speaker Series on Fridays in her tasting room. “What started with a father and son sharing their story on bonsai on May 4, 2012, has now evolved into a weekly Friday night speaker session where we create an open forum for sharing and discussion,” says Sonja of her Words to Live By speaker series. Covering topics ranging from “Bread fermentation to immigration to falconry,” the list is intriguing, inspiring, distinctive, and educational. In addition to a series on resolutions, the New Year brings in “renegade baker” Mark Stambler, recently named one of the Ten Best Bread Bakers in the U.S. by Dessert Professional magazine. Mark has opened a bakery – Pagnol Boulanger – In Baywood Park, a small town on the coast, just south of Morro Bay. In addition, to close out 2016 and the holiday season, Sonja is hosting cookie exchanges and wine pairings the final two Fridays of the year. When: Cookie Exchanges and Wine Pairings on Friday, December 23, and Friday, December 30. Speaker Series Friday, January 13. Where: Casa Dumetz Wines Tasting Room 388 Bell Street in Los Alamos Info: www.casadumetzwines.com or call (805) 344-1900

SWIRL, SNIFF, SIP, GUESS, RINSE, AND REPEAT lind Tasting Thursdays at Wandering Wine Dog is a friendly brown-bagged blind wine tasting to challenge your palate, learn about wine, and rub competitive palates with your wine-savvy friends to see how well you remember what these wines taste like and where they come from. When: Every Thursday in January from 4 and 7 pm Where: Wandering Wine Dog, 539 C Mission Drive in Solvang Cost: $15 per person – no reservations required Info: (805) 686-9126 www.wanderingdogwinebar.com

5TH ANNUAL RECOVERY RANCH COCOA STAND n a most impressive display of Christmas lights, Recovery Ranch is serving up a hot cup of cocoa and holiday cheer to warm the hearts of the Grinchiest Scrooges and delight all ages of those naughty and nice. A $1 admission gets you into a dazzling wonderland with Christmas movies and arcade games, Santa’s workshop and cookies, photos with Santa, dancing elves, raffle prizes, hot cocoa, a food truck with full menu, a coffee truck with a specialty menu, and quite literally “miles of Christmas lights.” Recovery Ranch is a structured sober living community for men with the tagline “Where Clean and Sober Men live as Gentlemen” – and if Christmas lighting and decoration was an competitive sport, these guys would be the winning tea. When: Now through January 1 on weekdays from 5 to 10 pm and weekends from 5 pm to midnight. Where: 3694 B Tivola Street in Solvang Cost: $1 admission Info: www.therecoveryranch.com

YOUR NEW YEAR BUBBLE CONNECTION op, fizz, clink, cheers! Santa Barbara County sparkling wines to help ring in the New Year can be found in and around the valley at: Brewer Clifton – Blanc de Blancs, Sea Smoke – Sea Spray, Lucas Lewellen – Sparkling Wine, Flying Goat – Goat Bubbles, Casa Dumtez – Sonja’s Suds, Riverbench – Cork Jumper Blanc de Blancs, Fiddlehead – Blanc de Noirs, Vincent Vineyards – Sparkling Brut and Rosé, Blair Fox – Foxy Bubbles, and the Bubble Shack in Los Olivos. Where: Throughout the valley and at El Rancho Market, 2886 Mission Drive in Solvang Info: For a Sparkling Wine Guide, visit www.calicoastwinecountry.com

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...continued from p.5 A candid shot of the (always) bustling patio adjacent to Lama Dog and The Nook (photo by Blake Bronstad | www.blake bronstad.com)

Meet John Goodman and Barrett Reed, two of Miramar’s principals and the owners of the Waterline. A decade ago when John and Barrett first signed a lease on the property (located on the 100 block of Santa Barbara Street), it was another semiforgotten industrial space in the Funk Zone. Aside from the building’s aesthetic appeal, the guys originally leased the space for its utility: its scale and accessibility made it the perfect home for their vintage car business, Goodman Reed Motorcars. The two have always had a penchant for classic cars, having been sort of indoctrinated into the vintage car culture by their fathers, both decades-long Porsche enthusiasts. They were seniors at Santa Barbara High School when they started the car business, splitting a joint loan from their parents to buy a single Porsche 911 that they subsequently resold for profit. The first car snowballed into a 14-year business that has at times had as many as 30 classic cars in inventory, but

is now run on a more modest scale so that the two can provide focus to Miramar Group’s endeavors. Back when they first moved into the space, the neighborhood was still a haven for industrial businesses and bohemian artist’s studios, certainly an era to be missed in its own right. While not much was going on in the Funk Zone in terms of actual planning or construction, conversations about redevelopment were already bubbling beneath the surface, something the pair was tacitly aware of. As Barrett tells it: “John and I were born and raised here, and we understood this area pretty well, even when nothing was going on.” They thought that it didn’t stand to reason that an area located so close to the beach, State Street, the harbor and the freeway, would be as underutilized as it was. “We knew it would change eventually, but we’ve been surprised at just how quickly it happened,” Barrett adds. In a timely move that allowed their vision of the Waterline to manifest, Goodman and Reed ended up buying the two adjacent properties in addition to the one they’d been leasing, relocating their car business to another part of town. As Reed continues, “We negotiated the acquisition of the properties with a strong hunch, but no specific data to show that the Funk Zone would become what it has.” They could have, at that point, gone down many different roads with the property. They chose to be specific about what they were creating for the community itself. Reed continues, “Once we truly understood the opportunity, we couldn’t just stand by and lease the space to an out-of-town operator. We felt we had to further the area’s evolution by encouraging a range of community-centric vendors, to build a destination that we ourselves as locals would want to frequent.” THE FINAL PHASE So, with the opportunity, resources, and vision to do something new in the hottest part of town, eyes have certainly been cast toward Miramar Group in anticipation of the full roll-out of the Waterline project. Given the immediate success of Lama Dog and The Nook, curiosity about the subsequent phase of the project had been piqued. The second half of the property, which includes Topa Topa Brewing Co. and the Blair Fox Cellars and Fox Wine Co. tasting room, has so far met with similar success since opening in mid-November. Another new addition has been The Guilded Table, an artisan collective that encompasses the entire back half of the property. Perhaps in part because of the sour taste left in the mouths of some of the original Funk Zone artisans (now displaced by the area’s redevelopment), Miramar Group wanted to make sure that the Waterline placed a strong emphasis on promoting the arts and local artisans. Accented and divided by hefty steel I-beams, the seven individual studios are designed to allow local artists, artisans, and makers to create and share their work, with a central common workspace anchored by three huge production tables. Kassie Goodman, John’s wife and The Guilded Table’s director, shares, “We hope that this concept creates an interesting and unique collective experience for the artisans and the community alike. It’s meant to be fluid and interactive; as the concept evolves, you’ll be able to see works in progress from some of Santa Barbara’s most talented creatives.”

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In addition to artisan studios, the Waterline is decorated throughout with art and murals from area artists. As Barrett offers, “The building is inherently bold and artistic in and of itself, providing a canvas that we’re excited to fill with rotating works on a regular basis.” The project’s multi-tenant, shared space model is not necessarily a new concept (similar setups have seen success in the Bay Area and Portland, for example), but it’s one that Santa Barbarans seems to be increasingly receptive to and excited about. John and Barrett largely attribute the Waterline’s early success to the hand-selected mix of vendors. They say that after meeting with and considering dozens of Chef master Norbert Shulz of The Nook (photo by Blake potential tenants, it was clear to Bronstad | www.blakebronstad.com) them that local vendors, rather than larger, established brands, would be critical to the property’s success. As John explains, “In the winter, when the tourists aren’t here, it’s the local businesses with their own local followings that are able to succeed. It was also important to us that we selected vendors that had offerings and price points that encourage people to visit the property multiple times a week.” As the guys remind me, there aren’t many truly dynamic destinations in the Funk Zone yet. There are plenty of cool places to go for a specific purpose, but not entire properties with multiple aspects to them. “The idea was to create as much interaction as possible,” Goodman tells me, “which is why the personalities of each tenant were a chief consideration. We wanted vendors who would know, like, and complement one another.”

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Front entrance of phase two of the project, Topa Topa Brewing Co, and Fox Wine Co. (photo by Blake Bronstad | www.blakebronstad. com)

A huge part of what makes the property so enticing is the adaptive reuse nature of Miramar’s development plan, and thereby the buildings itself. Originally built on the rubble of the historic 1925 earthquake, the Waterline property has been home to a bevy of industrial uses for the past 90 years, before being re-envisioned by Miramar Group as a community-centric destination. “The Waterline concept,” Reed explains, “was built to fit the uniqueness of the structure and maximize its awesome inherent characteristics.” Patrons are welcome and encouraged to roam throughout the expansive property at leisure, with thoroughfares between each of the vendors making for a spacious and dimensional experience. The Waterline is meant to be a gathering place, a multiform nexus for more than just good food and drink (though that’s the big draw) but also as a community hub for art, connection, and commerce. With a clientele diverse in age range, occupation, and proclivity, there is a strong likelihood that the Waterline will fill that cultural void that so many locals looking to subvert their social hermitages are hungry for. Anchored in great food and beverage options, and cool art, it’s safe to say that the Waterline has been blasted into Funk Zone-lover fame. What’s next for Miramar Group? In addition to their daily commercial management, brokerage and investment business, Barrett Reed shares that, “We’re always looking at area properties that offer an opportunity for transformation, and I think you’ll probably be hearing about a few exciting projects in the months to come.”

Water Wisely This Winter Save water and money with these simple steps: • Turn it Down. Plants don’t need as much water in the winter. Water according to the weather and use a rain sensor to reduce overwatering. • Go for the Gold. Be part of the water supply solution and stop watering your lawn. When it comes to lawn, gold is the new green! • Save Your Trees. Water your mature trees deeply at the drip line once a month and add mulch.

Rebates may be available. Call (805) 564-5460 to schedule a free Water Checkup. Learn more at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WaterWise.

The Market Has Spoken... The Sellers Have Listened!

Now $1,195,000 3+ Bedrooms, 2.5 baths Over 2700 Sq. Ft.

Unit A, 4477 Shadow Hills Blvd. Santa Barbara

Shadow Hills is Country Club living in Paradise. And, at a new fabulous price. Owners have located their new home and are ready for a new adventure.

The Best Value In Shadow Hills North and South facing patios, tons of sun light, big ocean/island views, move-in condition, over 2700 sq ft of single level living space, 3 spacious bedrooms AND a den, clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, orchard. Only a few short minutes to LaCumbre Plaza shopping and restaurants.

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