Selling Santa Barbara

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THE BEER GUY P.12 • MAN ABOUT TOWN P.23 • SYV SNAPSHOT P.33 218 Santa Barbara Street B: a 2/2 Villa Del Mar townhome in the Funk Zone. Offered for $1,125,000 by the Calcagno & Hamilton Team of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

SELLING SANTA BARBARA

THE SPRING SELLING SEASON IS HERE! A RECAP OF Q1 NUMBERS, NOTABLE LISTINGS IN VARIOUS PRICE POINTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS, A POSITIVE UPDATE FROM THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY, AND MORE. (REPORT BEGINS ON P.10)

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GUTIERREZ

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Beach t Bath t Gifts

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montecito | santa barbar a | G oleta | Santa ynez

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

REAL ESTATE TEA M

Š2019 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

Brand New Beach Home - $2,495,000

New Listing! Remodeled Funk Zone Townhome - $1,125,000

New Price! Cape Cod Montecito Beach Home - $2,995,000

Private Townhome in Villas of Carpinteria - $798,000

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montecito | santa barbar a | G oleta | Santa ynez

618 ANACAPA STREET #3 - $2,335,000 Gorgeous upgraded Tuscan-like villa in the exclusive Anacapa Villas community. This luxury condo was designed to live like a freestanding home, and is tucked away in the back of the newly-gated development, giving it a sense of quiet privacy and ease.

A large great room boasts soaring ceilings, gas fireplace, and French doors leading to a large, private outdoor patio. The newly updated kitchen showcases professional grade appliances and custom-built pantry and office area. A guest suite and generous master are located on the second level, both with soaking tubs and plentiful closet space. The master features a private balcony with gorgeous Riviera views. The third level offers flexible lofted space either for another bedroom, office, or den, with stunning mountain and city views, a full en-suite bathroom, and a large balcony. Custom upgrades and Spanish-style influences throughout; this stylish condo feels like you're in the heart of a bustling European city, and is just steps away from all downtown Santa Barbara has to offer.

(805) 565-4000 Homesinsantabarbara.com

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Š2019 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

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Content

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S tate Street Scribe – Jeff Wing blinked and his daughter morphed from an adorable newborn potato into a bright-eyed 17-year-old about to enter college. Where did the time go?

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T he Fortnight – Environmental Defense Center’s tgif! event; Abe Powell to receive Environmental Hero Award at Green & Blue: A Coastal Celebration; MediCannaCon: Ojai Medical Cannabis Conference and Santa Barbara Medical Cannabis Conference & Expo; high school musicals; dance performances around town; Mary Fahl returns to SOhO; shows from Cowboy Junkies and Spencer the Gardener

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Real Estate Snapshot – Kelly Mahan Herrick breaks down the numbers and recaps first quarter property sales in Santa Barbara County compared to last year

Beer Guy – Summer is coming, and tropical brews such as Figueroa Mountain’s Cocomo IPA and The Cruisery’s No Tan Lines IPA are the perfect companion to a sunny beach day

P.18

Capitalist – The “just cause” law might sound like a good idea, but Jeff Harding believes it will do nothing to improve the rental situation in Santa Barbara. In fact, it will make it harder for many people to find housing

P.20

What’s Hanging – Art events around town happening in May, from Taiana Giefer’s tapestries at El Presidio and Jan Ziegler’s last curated show at MichaelKate to UCSB’s MFA Thesis show “Temporary Crash”

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Creative Characters – Move over traditional murder mystery games, William Bellomy has created immersive murders to solve, where each character has depth with more human, empathetic motives to kill

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Real Estate View – Michael Phillips takes a look at the Santa Barbara City Heat Index, indicating that the buyer has a slight advantage as sales slow all over California Man About Town – Lights Up! Theatre Company debuts with Big Fish; Out of the Box closes season with Fun Home; Immediate Family rocks out; UCSB’s second annual Art Walk; random notes

P.24

Plan B – Briana Westmacott is saying “no” more commitments these days, but she’s thankful she decided to take a leap and join a group of women on a camping excursion to Yosemite. The most recent trip took them and their daughters on a brutal boat ride across the channel to Santa Cruz Island

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E’s Note – Eli was reluctant to trek to Santa Cruz Island to camp, but even after a harrowing boat ride there, she was glad she did

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I Heart SB – Elizabeth Rose begins to come to terms with saying adios to her home, the sailboat named Astrologer

On Art – Douglas DaFoe discovered a second career as an artist after being a carpenter. He creates mosaics and sculptures based on geometric shapes, and you can see his work at MichaelKate starting May 17

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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.

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MESA OAKS HOME 1275 Craig Avenue, Lompoc | Offered at $582,000

Once Upon Another Time

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t’s said that in all the vast panoply of living things on Earth, only the human animal is conscious of the fact that death awaits. It’s never been made clear exactly how this was so incontrovertibly established. It’s not as if one can poll a Sea Cucumber, for instance. And trying to record the rude, offhand responses of the Earth’s tenthousand-trillion busybody ants would be a logistical hassle – and a gateway to ant-hating.

But something in the way the “lower” animals comport themselves does suggest they are temporally oblivious automatons; hyper-complex, mechanically wondrous, driven by inexplicable programs older than time itself. Yes. But check out the Impala’s facial expression as it flees, in sinuous slow-motion, the attacking lion. The Impala’s instinctive machinery is firing dramatically on all pistons, muscle and sinew pouring across the landscape at 50mph – even as the animal’s face is lost

in placid contemplation of a mid-tempo Matchbox 20 tune. Now consider the facial expression of the human adventure tourist who has just locked himself out of the Land Rover at dusk on the savanna.

AS WATER HAZARDS GO, RIVER TIME REALLY TAKES THE CAKE As water hazards go, river time really takes the cake. This unstoppable current down which we are all borne, and whose rapids seem an unnecessary and brutally unkind feature, has its way with us like nobody’s business. Gurgling, spluttering, arms a-waving, we’re headed for the falls the instant we tiptoe into the shallows of this riparian biatch. The other animals – the “lower ones”? – get to wander in a paradisiacal ignorance they hardly seem to have earned. Yes, they are frequently eaten alive, but that’s a more than fair price to pay for the illusion that things ...continued p.19

This three bedroom two bath home in Mesa Oaks features an upgraded kitchen with granite counter tops and newer appliances and cabinets. Spacious open living area with a built-in China hutch, built in TV console and a fireplace. The master bath and bedroom were extended adding additional square footage. The bathroom features a large shower and a jacuzzi tub. Additional elements included a three car garage with a great amount of storage. The backyard is spacious and has a gate that adjoins to Mesa Oaks Park, picnic and play area for children.

Gloria Carmichael

REALTOR® 805.896.6567 gloria.carmichael@camoves.com www.GloriaCarmichael.com CalRE #00601172 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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4 MAY – 1 JUNE

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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.

EDC tgif!

W

ith the big 50th anniversary of the Santa Barbara oil spill that sparked the environmental movement and Earth Day (which started in 1970) in the rear-view mirror, the Environmental Defense Center turns next to one of the area’s most popular summer environmental series of events. tgif! – stylized with no caps and to distinguish itself from the restaurant chain, perhaps – draws close to 300 people to EDC’s charming courtyard in downtown Santa Barbara for almost monthly gatherings comprised of a couple of hours of socializing, accompanied by live music surrounding about half an hour of brief speeches about some of the environmental work being done in our community from that evening’s EDC partner-sponsors. As we’ve discovered by dropping in at least a couple of times annually at the events that have run for

more than two decades, enviros and associated politicos and nonprofits can be a whole lot of fun – especially when they’ve been lubricated with a couple of glasses of wines or craft beers that come free with admission, along with tasty hors d’oeuvres, including dessert. Some of which, I’m happy to report, is even gluten-free!

EDC tgif! events, which are held at the tree-shaded sunken courtyard at 906 Garden Street on the second Fridays of the month in May, July, September, and October, kicks off at 5:30 pm on May 10, with Coastal Fund, Sierra Club Los Padres Chapter, and Carpinteria Valley Association serving as sponsors (no word yet on the band or food providers). Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door, or you can pick up a season pass to all four events for $100, which – employing my math skills (I don’t need Siri or Alexa to figure

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that one out) – doesn’t seem like such a good deal. Except it includes VIP entry, a commemorative tgif! glass, annual membership to EDC, six free raffle tickets per event and entry into a special end-of-the-season raffle for a two-night stay in a cabin at Lake Arrowhead – which adds up to $140. (I’m thinking since environmentalists rightly want corporations to be financially responsible for the often-hidden ecological costs of their products, we should be transparent with the hidden benefits, too.) Purchase passes or get more details by calling (805) 963-1622 or visiting https://www. environmentaldefensecenter.org/tgif.

Green and Blue

I know what you’re wondering: What’s up in June? Why no tgif!?

Glad you asked. That’s when EDC holds its largest fundraiser of the year, also outside, but in a much larger space – the gardens of Rancho La Patera & Stow House in Goleta. In what is basically a bigger version of the Friday mini-festivals, around 600 guests stroll around the grounds and bid on live and silent auctions, feast on hors d’oeuvres from Duo Catering, imbibe local wine and beer, and gather ‘round for the presentation of EDC’s Environmental Hero Award. For 2019, that’s Abe Powell, the 43-year Santa Barbara/Montecito resident that has been a community and environmental leader, including serving as board president of Get Oil Out! (GOO!); founding SOLFORCE, a local solar energy company; spending six years as Director at Montecito Fire Protection District; and co-founding and serving as Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, the nonprofit organization created in response to the devastating January 9th, 2018 debris flows in Montecito. What’s cool is SBBB is still going strong even as the digging out gets done, working to prevent and prepare for future disasters and doing lots of education outreach, trail repair and more. Tickets for the 2-6 pm Green & Blue: A Coastal Celebration on June 2 start at $100. Visit www.

EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org/gb.

More Earthiness: TLC for THC

Marijuana, the psychoactive plant that grows in the ground like weeds,

is now not just legal in California, but also the subject of two conferences on medical and other uses of cannabis.

MediCannaCon: the Ojai Medical Cannabis Conference, breaks new ground on Saturday, May 4, aimed at both health professionals and the general public to help the self-medicating masses know more about the benefits, side effects, and contraindications of the many types and preparations of medical cannabis. Doctors, nurses, and Ph.D.s are among the presenters.

EntheoMedicine dives even deeper a week later on Saturday, May 11, with the Santa Barbara Medical Cannabis Conference & Expo at the Veterans Memorial Building boasting many more speakers, including keynotes, workshops, and breakout sessions, plus Q&A, documentary presentation and book signings plus exhibitors music and food. Visit https://ojaiherbal. org/event/medicannacon and www.

CannabisMedConference.org to get more info and toke (pardon, take) your pick.

Drama in High School

No, we’re not talking about the anxiety of taking the SATs, the angst of a teenage breakup, or even the jumble of emotions seniors might experience when facing graduation. This is the good kind of drama – the one that takes place on stage. Meaning, if it’s May it must be time for the academic year-closing musicals and more showing up at area schools as budding thespians take to local stages for productions that are often far bigger and fancier than some professional companies can afford to produce.

Case in point: Matilda the Musical, which gets not only its national high school premiere but also makes its area debut May 3-12 when Santa Barbara High presents the Tony Award-winning work. Inspired by a book straight out of the twisted genius of Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox), Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the psychokinetic powers of a girl who dreams of a better life. Powered by original songs by hyphenate-heavy entertainer Tim Minchin, the musical has won 47 international awards including the Tony for Best Musical. Visit www.sbhstheatre. com for details and tickets.

Catch Me If You Can, the Musical, which runs May 2-11 out at San Marcos High, is the song-and-dance adaptation of the story of real-life charming wunderkind con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr., who played cat-andmouse with the FBI, based on the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, with

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words and music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Smash).

Visit www.smhstheaterdept.com/shows/ catchmeifyoucan.

‘West’-ward ho!

Dos Pueblos Theatre Company, from the other big high school in the area, already closed its production of West Side Story back in mid-April, but you can still see The Adderley School Conservatory version of the work honoring the 100th birthdays of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins – the creative masterminds behind the groundbreaking and timeless Broadway classic that turned Romeo & Juliet into a 1950s musical. With yet another revival scheduled for Broadway and Steven Spielberg’s movie remake due out later this year, Adderley’s adaptation for actors age 4-18 comes to the Lobero May 4-5.

Pick the right date, and you might even see longtime Santa Barbara resident/ dance impressario Julie McLeod, who performed in the chorus in the original production on Broadway, hanging out in the theater. Info at 805-963-0761 or www.lobero.org/events/adderley-westside-story.

Speaking of Roald Dahl, Anacapa School takes on the author’s James & the Giant Peach, in which a huge peach rolls

into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions that finds young James befriending a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean. Visit http:// centerstagetheater.org and take a giant, juicy bite of the peach of a show at Center Stage Theater May 10-11.

Masters of Movement

Dance lovers have a myriad of choices this month, both professional and otherwise, encompassing a plethora of styles and approaches (literally). Most interesting might be Dorrance Dance, whose founder, tap specialist and choreographer Michelle Dorrance, won a MacArthur Fellowship (Genius Grant) in 2015, for innovative works such as the new “ETM: Double Down.” The eveninglength work, on Sunday, May 5 at the Granada Theatre, turns the entire stage into an instrument for eight dancers performing on electronic tap boards accompanied by three musicians playing live.

From down into the ground we go up in the air for The Santa Barbara Centre for Aerial Dance’s On Threaded Wings, which is set to an acoustic backdrop of strings and percussion and features metal and

fabric apparatus dyed and stitched using traditional techniques from Europe and the Americas. The work full of magical thinking and expansive realism, which performs at the Lobero on May 23, is meant to honor and highlight the generational kinetic and artisanal practices that have been an integral part of the female experience for centuries.

In between, both spatially and chronologically, choices include Motion Theater Dance Company’s Journey at Center Stage on May 5; spring showcase by Santa Barbara Dance Theater, the professional company in residence at UCSB, that includes a reworking of Andrea Schermoly’s Moonscapes and a revival of artistic director Christopher Pilafian’s Anemone with composer Gianna Abondolo performing live on stage, at the Lobero May 8-9; State Street Ballet’s perennially popular Modern Masters evenings at the New Vic May 10-11 that features seven new contemporary pieces from seven choreographers, including three by State Street Dancers and two by the directors of Visceral Dance Chicago and Eisenhower Dance Detroit, who will also bring some of their dancers; and “Once Upon a Tango,” a May 19

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show at the New Vic presented by Guillermo De Fazio and Giovanna Dan in which the tale of real people and events is told entirely through the dance of Argentine tango.

Something to Fahl Back on

The emotionally compelling singersongwriter Mary Fahl has made lots of good music over the last quarter century, but she could’ve quit right after releasing Bury My Lovely as lead singer of the mid-1990s folk-chamber pop group October Project and still had a memorable career. At least in the view of this writer, for whom that track might have been the last song he can recall playing over and over again until the neighbors complained. She’ll play that track and lots of other music when she returns to SOhO on May 11.

Also of note, the first Santa Barbara visit in many a moon from Cowboy Junkies, whose album The Trinity Session still resonates some 30 years later, a softer, more atmospheric approach to what X did a decade earlier (May 16 at the Lobero)... Long time Santa Barbara Latin/surf rock hero Spencer the Gardener celebrates the release of his/their new eight-track album Organic Gangster 2 in a Mother’s Day brunch show May 12 at Restaurant Roy.

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REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT

by Kelly Mahan Herrick

Kelly is a licensed realtor with the Calcagno & Hamilton team and Berkshire Hathaway. She can be reached at Kelly@homesinsantabar bara.com or at (805) 565-4000.

First Quarter Recap

I

n South Santa Barbara County (Carpinteria to Goleta), the number of properties sold in the first quarter of the year is up substantially over last year. We acknowledge these increases cautiously, as the first quarter numbers

in 2018 were reflective of a softened market following the 1/9 debris flow in Montecito; still, I’m optimistic that the market as a whole is normalizing.

In the single family home segment, we saw an 8.5% increase YTD from 2018

A look at sold properties (only homes, estates, and PUDs) in 2019 versus 2018 in the first quarter of the year. This includes only sales listed in the Santa Barbara County MLS.

(267 properties versus 246); compared to 2017’s numbers, we are down just 1% (267 versus 269 in January-March, 2017).* Condo sales were up 53% over last year, with 144 total sales compared to 94 in 2018. *Compared to 2017’s first quarter sales, we are up 33% (144 versus 108), which I feel is a better comparison to evaluate the temperature of the condo market. *These numbers include off-market sales; the graphic below does not include off-market sales.

SALES & SALES PRICES At the end of March, our median sales price for single-family homes, estates, and PUDs, was $1,290,000, which is down 8% from last year ($1,394,000).

Last year’s median sales price YTD was the highest we’d seen ever, and in my opinion, artificially high; I attribute this in part to the more concentrated amount of higher end sales in Hope Ranch immediately following the 1/9 disaster. (We had 15 sales there January ...continued p.14

A look at median sales prices of homes, estates, and PUDs year-to-date from 2002 to 2019

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by Zach Rosen

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ver the past ten years or so there has been an abundance of new hops coming out that have been specifically bred to produce novel aromas that open up a whole world of beer flavor. Of these more recent hop aromas, by far the most popular theme is the tropical fruit character. With the misty mornings becoming more sparse, and the sun more intense, the moment is ripe for these tropically-themed beers.

The American hop industry popularized hop-derived fruit character. First it was Cascade hops and later came the other C-hops and slew of new varietals that feature exotic aromas. Cascade is known for its bold citrus (especially grapefruit), piney, and floral flavors that made IPAs so popular in craft beer. Cascade hops are the definitive flavor of the “Americanstyle.” The Czech and German hops have more of that traditional floral, perfumey hop notes and English hops are a little more earthy and spicy. It was American hops that fueled the popularity of hopderived fruit aromas.

Cascade hops were released in 1971 and were actually the first US-bred hop to be commercially produced from the USDA hop breeding program in Oregon. Anchor Brewery introduced the hop with its iconic Liberty Ale in 1975. New Albion Brewing Co, considered the first new craft brewery, would open in 1976 and would source its hops from Anchor, further spreading the popularity of Cascade hops. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, inspired by both breweries, would open in 1979 and their legendary pale ale made Cascade hops famous around the world.

Centennial, Chinook, and the American hop poster child, Citra, among a few others, are often collectively referred to as C-hops since they all start with the letter “C.” These hops all revolve around the same “American” character and are the definitive hops found in American-style IPAs. For decades most of the American hops only had citrus-themed fruity aromas.

It was the Southern hemisphere hops, specifically those found in New Zealand and Australia, that really introduced tropical aromas into the beer repertoire.

Nelson Sauvin, grown in New Zealand and commercially released in 2000, was one of the hops to popularize the tropically-themed varietals. This hop can have a wide range of characters from gooseberry and guava to more

Each area of Glass House is curated to resemble a different place in David Fairchild’s travels

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.

mango and passionfruit. Galaxy hops from Australia, commercially released in 2009, have also particularly helped spread the tropical gospel among hop heads. These ones are known for their pineapple and passionfruit character but can also have other citrus and fruit notes like lime zest and peach. The US was also breeding its own tropical-themed hops like El Dorado, released in 2010. One of the most popular US hop varietals in this genre has become Mosaic hops.

Depending on how Mosaic is used it can cover a wide range of fruity, earthy, and herbaceous flavors. The newly released Tropical Magic by Figueroa Mountain represents the hops well.

This hazy IPA uses Mosaic alongside Citra and Simcoe and has a guava and passionfruit aroma with accents of lemon and lime. The smooth flavor doesn’t hide the 7.2% ABV and the touch of alcohol is rounded out by notes of sweet orange peel and mango that finishes with just a hint of pine.

Mosaic, if used a certain way, can have a wet earth quality that some enjoy but I personally find off-putting. For a clean representation of the Mosaic hops try the ...continued p.16

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...continued from p.10

through March 2018, compared to the average number of first quarter Hope Ranch sales, which is just 6.)

Comparing our median sales price to 2017, we are up 9%. The number of homes, estates, and PUDs that went into escrow in the last three months is also trending upward: we are up 1.9% from last year (272 versus 267), which tells me buyers continue to have confidence in the market.

Sales in the condo segment are up 4.6% (91 sales in 2019 versus 87 in 2018). Median sales price is also up: $705,000 versus $670,000 last year.

This is the highest median sales price on condos that we’ve ever seen, which is great news for sellers.

INVENTORY CONTINUES TO INCREASE

same number of homes that sold in Q1 of 2018. Prior years are as follows: 52 in 2015, 65 in 2016, and 44 in 2017. This tells me we are still feeling the effects of 1/9, but I believe Q2 will bring a higher sales volume than it did in 2018.

We’ve seen the listing and sales of a few more homes/properties affected by mud flow in January 2018, and just in the last few weeks several of these homes have gone into escrow, including a home on Olive Mill (list price is $2,995,000), a home on Santa Rosa Lane (list price $4,495,000), and one in the hedgerow (list price $2,500,000). A new listing on Olive Mill Road recently came on the market for $1,495,000; it was badly damaged in the debris flow.

The average sales price in Montecito month-to-date is $4,122,227, which is the highest average sales price we’ve

Active listings for homes, estates, and PUDs are steadily increasing, and we expect even more inventory as the weather gets warmer

As is expected in the spring, we are seeing more inventory every day, and homes that are priced right are getting multiple offers and going into escrow immediately. I’ve noted 1520 new listings each day in the last month or so, spanning from Santa Ynez Valley to Carpinteria. In just the South County (Goleta to Carp), there are currently about 478 active listings, with 80 additional in escrow. The available inventory ranges in price from $585k for a 1/1 PUD in Goleta, to the $75M, 237-acre Rancho San Carlos in Montecito.

The sweet spot in our market so far this year has been properties priced between $700K-$1.6M, with 160 condo, home, and PUD sales in Q1.The higher end market is picking up, with 12 sales over $5M in Q1, compared to six sales in the same segment last year.

In 2017 we saw 11 sales over $5M, as an alternative comparison.

MONTECITO MARKET We saw the sale of 27 homes in Montecito in Q1, ranging in price from $930K to $25M. Surprisingly, this is the

seen. Last year’s average sales price for the entire year was $3,946,770.

Montecito’s market remains in transition, especially in the debris flow risk zone. Many property owners are reporting being dropped by their insurance carriers; some new buyers are having a harder time finding an affordable carrier. The Office of Emergency Management plans on revising the debris flow map later this year, to account for the regrowth of chaparral on our hillsides as well as the new steel ring nets that are being installed. I expect that many homes on the border of the red zone will be removed from the map as the rain thresholds are increased.

MY PREDICTIONS As always, spring is selling season!

Buyers are out looking, and feeling confidence in the market in part due to lower interest rates. The sunny weather is making people flock to our area, and we are seeing lots of out-of-town buyers.

I predict that home values will continue to increase, just not at the rate ...continued p.28

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No Tan Lines IPA from The Cruisery.

The nose has pleasing aromas of mango and guava with a clean malt character that allows a hint of strawberry to come through in the taste. There is an apparent bitterness in the back end, making it suitable for any level of hop head.

INTO THE FRUIT Of course, it is always important to note that these listed flavors like pineapple and mango just mean that the beer has an aroma that resembles these fruits. It does not actually contain those fruits. Except for when they do. Every fruit mentioned here has been added into beer. Pineapple often finds itself into wheat beers and mangos typically into IPAs. One beer that still hits the tropical theme while being a little different is Figueroa Mountain’s new Cocomo IPA. The coconut is infused by a cold extraction process using a BrauKon HopGun. In traditional dry hopping, the hops or other ingredients (e.g. coconut) are just added into the fermenter (usually the secondary), steeping on the young beer. With a HopGun, the hops et al are loaded into this mobile tank that can be rolled around the brewery to different fermenters. The fermenter is connected to the HopGun and the beer is circulated for a given amount of time. This process gives the beer a lot more contact time with

the infused ingredients, vastly improving the extraction rate, and ultimately the flavor. Fig Mtn Creative Director, Kevin Ashford, mentioned that they were using this method to avoid that fake sunscreen quality that comes from excessive coconut or low-quality extracts.

The beer hits the coconut quality just right with it being apparent throughout the entire beer while not overpowering it.

The classic American hops, Centennial and Cascade, with a little Mosaic, give the beer a perfumey orange and sweet pineapple note that melds with the coconut. A brush of alcohol and bitterness in the finish contributes a firmness to the beer that balances the fruity flavors.

Cocomo IPA is currently available in the tasting room on nitro to give it an even softer edge. It has also just been released in 6-packs of cans, making it a nice accompaniment to your next beach day.

SAFARI IN A GLASS Of course, beer is not the only drink featuring tropical flavors and the newly opened Shaker Mill is bringing Cubanthemed cocktails to State Street. The bar comes from husband-and-wife team and owners of Good Lion and Test Pilot, Brandon Ristaino and Misty OrmanRistaino, and is located where the old India House used to be (418 State Street). Turquoise and blues fill the area

with color and a flare of adventurous wallpaper and burnt umber woodwork give the space an exotic look. Benches open up into State Street and allow plenty of sunlight to fill the room.

The Shaker Mill menu offers a range of tropical drinks, each with their own little twist. To start, try their house Piña Colada that features silken flavors of coconut and pineapple subtly sharpened by the acidity of lime and rounded out by coffee beans and amaro di angostura to provide an uplifting spin on this classic. Shaker Mill shares space with the newly opened Cubaneo, coming from the Barbareño team, that is a quick service Cuban-themed sandwich shop delivering their signature California-fusion style to each offering.

This location will also host the much anticipated Modern Times Academy of Recreational Science that is set to open in the next few months.

Also not to be missed is Glass House Cocktail Garden, the brainchild of Kyle Peet and Alvaro Rojas, the mind behind Alcazar and Milk and Honey among many other projects over the years.

Inspired by the travels of David Fairchild and their own foray in hydroponics and greenhouses, this unique bar brings garden fresh cocktails with multisensory magic in each one. David Fairchild was an American botanist famous for introducing 200,000 plants into the

United States. The bar is located in the outside area where Blush used to be (628 State St) and is an adventure for the eyes with each nook curated to reflect the various legs of Fairchild’s travels.

The cocktails are their own journey.

While they do offer classics, their house concoctions go beyond just ingredients in a glass, featuring flavored ice cubes that alter the drink as they melt or scented vapors surrounding the glass.

The photogenic Prickle My Fancy looks like a mini garden terrarium. It has a brisk fruitiness from prickly pear juice with habanero mezcal and ginger giving it a little zip and dark rum rounding everything out. It is supposedly a two-person drink although its lush, refreshing character makes it a little too easy to suck one down by yourself.

Although they do have drop-in areas available, the different spaces of Glass House are RSVP-only, bringing a more sophisticated experience to the Santa Barbara drinking scene. Both Glass House and Shaker Mill deserve far longer descriptions but really words only go so far. Each space has been making waves in the local drink scene since opening and both have raised the bar in the area.

Whether it’s stopping in at one of these new establishments or just grabbing a hoppy brew, these tropical flavors add a little flare that perfectly fits this time of year.

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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

There is No Justice in Santa Barbara’s Just Cause Eviction Ordinance

I

f there ever was a misnamed piece of legislation it is the Santa Barbara City Council’s Just-Cause Eviction ordinance. “Just cause,” of course, refers to the word “justice” and this new proposed ordinance has no relation to justice. It has a lot to do with politics, however.

The Progressive organization CAUSE has been pushing the Council for more social justice provisions such as just cause eviction laws for several years now and this is a partial victory for them. This is Round One of a battle to establish rent control in Santa Barbara.

There are unseen consequences of this ordinance, consequences that will make it more difficult for poor people to find rentals. But most of those Council members voting for it cared only about looking good to their political base – a kind of virtue signaling. If they really cared about tenants, they would have explored the ordinance’s negatives before they voted.

The “problem” with rental housing in Santa Barbara is a complex issue, but I will make it easy for you to understand: we don’t have enough housing to satisfy rental demand. The housing market is tight and rents are high because we Santa Barbarians don’t want “growth” and our City Mothers and Fathers have baked our anti-growth sentiment into the law.

This is nothing new: the rental market here has always been tight.

I once joked that we could solve the housing shortage by building a 100-story condo/apartment building (think of the open space that would create). That idea didn’t get much traction because we see our little town as something special; high-rises don’t fit our vision of who we are.

There will never be enough rental housing here to satisfy demand. Ever.

While our meddling public servants in Sacramento keep trying to push granny units down our throats, local jurisdictions fight that fang and claw.

The reality is that you can never build enough granny flats to satisfy demand or bring down rents. There just isn’t enough land and building costs are too high. Subsidized housing? Forget

it, it’s a drop in the bucket and there’s never enough money.

The result is that poor people are crammed into existing rentals. Units meant for four or five people are occupied by 12, or more. Shared living spaces are now common.

We, because we don’t want our

I listened to the entire Council hearing on this matter and it was not an impartial presentation of the issues surrounding eviction. It was predicated on the lack of affordability of rental housing and the difficulty of poor people to live here. The only solution presented was the just cause ordinance. There was nothing about the need for, or willingness to provide, more housing, or why housing is expensive, or the fact that rental affordability is endemic to all of Southern California, not just Santa Barbara. There was nothing about the burdens placed on apartment owners.

There was nothing about the negative consequences of this ordinance.

In a very tight rental market

ordinance as a moral crusade for the rights of tenants. They were moved by sad stories of evictions that cause a hardship to some tenants.

I am always chagrined when politicians claim the high ground and, as in our case, find tenant’s rights a “moral imperative” when they, in my opinion, have no grasp of the philosophy of justice or the moral imperative of property rights.

They ignore the philosophy of the Enlightenment and the concepts of rights and justice founded in natural law which have brought about the most just and prosperous nation in all of mankind’s history.

Politicians have a simplistic world view: choose a “noble cause,” generate

Such laws have been studied in many jurisdictions and the conclusions are always the same: tenants, especially poor ones, are worse off. city to become another L.A., have created this problem. We don’t want developers to build vertically and create more density and congestion.

We don’t want to pay more taxes to subsidize housing for poor people.

In short, although we caused it, we don’t want to pay for it. Instead we shove the problem onto the backs of apartment owners and force them to bear the social costs. It’s easy to do that when you demonize them as greedy landlords who could care less for their tenants. That is unjust.

The Council voted 6 to 1 (Randy Rowse being the only nay vote) for a proposed ordinance that forces apartment owners to: 1. Give tenants a minimum oneyear tenancy by written lease (vs. a month-to-month rental agreement).

Rents may not be increased during the one-year rental period.

2. A tenant may only be evicted for “cause” such as nonpayment of rent, criminal activity, damage, or some violation of the lease terms. City approved lease forms will be supplied to apartment owners.

3.

Give tenants “relocation assistance” in the event of no-cause “mass evictions” for buildings with seven or more units (this is a separate ordinance). “Mass” means one or more evictions during a 12-month period. The owner is required to pay the tenant the greater of $4,000 or 4X the “median advertised rental rate.”

Additional compensation of $3,000 is required for the elderly, disabled, poor, and emancipated minors.

apartment owners with less flexibility to evict a tenant can and will be more selective in choosing tenants. The unintended consequences of these “socially just tenant rights” will make it harder for poor tenants to qualify for housing. This is not mere conjecture.

Such laws have been studied in many jurisdictions and the conclusions are always the same: tenants, especially poor ones, are worse off.

It was clear that most Council members saw the just cause eviction

moral outrage, pass a law to implement it, and everything will be fine. There are two problems with that. One is that they are blind to the unseen consequences of their policies. The other is that they have no skin in the game – they never suffer the consequences of their bad policies. This is the genesis of bad laws.

This “just cause” ordinance is bad law. It will make poor tenants worse off and do nothing to alleviate the housing shortage or high rents. But it will probably get them re-elected.

Publisher/Editor • Tim Buckley Design/Production • Trent Watanabe Editor-at-large • Lily Harbin Buckley

Columnists Man About Town • Mark Léisuré Plan B • Briana Westmacott | Food File • Christina Enoch On Art • Margaret Landreau | The Weekly Capitalist • Jeff Harding The Beer Guy • Zach Rosen | E's Note • Elliana Westmacott Business Beat • Jon Vreeland | What’s Hanging • Ted Mills I Heart SB • Elizabeth Rose | Fortnight • Steven Libowitz State Street Scribe • Jeff Wing | Holistic Deliberation • Allison Antoinette Made in SB • Chantal Peterson | Behind The Vine • Hana-Lee Sedgwick SYV Snapshot • Eva Van Prooyen 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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will always stay the same, that we shall forever be in the company of our loved ones, and that tomorrow will be just like the best parts of today. We humans are lavishly aware of our limits. When not jogging poignantly away in our teal Karl Lagerfeld safari garb from an onrushing pride of lions, we are most acutely human in those quiet moments we shut our traps, set aside the iTimesink® and stare deeply outward – genuinely feel the simple, helpless, headlong flying away of our minutes and hours and days and nights. That is, we’ve been visiting colleges with our daughter.

MIKE DOUGLAS WARBLING “THE MAN IN MY LITTLE GIRL’S LIFE” Mike Douglas warbling “The Man in My Little Girl’s Life,”, Fiddler’s “Sunrise, Sunset,” Blossom Dearie’s “Yesterday When I Was Young” (Roy Clarke also took a crack at this painful paean to missing Life’s point) – we simultaneously lament the wringing passage of time, and are moved to ecstatic art by it. Why? Why are we mortal? Why do we KNOW we are mortal, and take such mad power from the knowledge? The dumb driveway gravel gets three billion years and we get this flashbulb pop of

consciousness stolen from a stupidly vast and hurriedly expanding sea of increasingly tenuous Nothing? Not to complain.

So me, my ex-girlfriend (wife), and my 17 year-old daughter pile into the car and head off in the direction of a celebrated institution of higher learning in the Los Angeles area. What will we find? What will we see? For one thing, we’ll see a tallish, broadshouldered woman striding around with wide eyes and a smile like a sunbeam, taking in her surroundings, chatting amiably with other youth and otherwise tasing us with love. It’s been a single Einsteinian week since this statuesque, gregarious lady with Lauren Bacall shoulders was a lump of flesh whose mischief-button eyes foretold such electric joy. In those days I would sit on the couch, lay her across my legs and play her like an instrument – a “Tickliano” – until she would squeal like the cherubim bounding through Elysian fields. One week later (very approximately) we’re touring the leafy campus, her mom and I straggling a respectful distance behind the fresh-faced cohort of future collegians, hanging back with the other stunned parents, we voyagers exchanging politely frightened glances

and silently sharing the same thought bubble: What. The Hell. Is Going On. DEEPLY, DEEPLY BELOVED Our tour guide’s name is Luke, and he’s a senior, originally from Boise – blonde, energetic, handsome, selfpleased, and loving the day. Luke is possessed of a broad, stagey humor and given to gulping, helpless laughter at his own funny pronouncements.

The kid is the perfect ambassador for this small blue-chip college, and our daughter falls immediately into his happy wake. Every time he says something amusing, our daughter looks slowly back at us with a theatrically adoring expression that says simply “I love this!” It’s piercing.

What’s not to love? She’s standing at the cusp of an unmarked map of such happiness and sorrow and cyclonic, vivid color – how to tell her? There’s no point; the vastness is indescribable.

Lamplit rooms await her. Airports and gardens and chatty dinners await her, candlelight in mason jars and night meadows overhung with scudding clouds and stars, endless cups of coffee and caffeine-fueled blather with human creatures she has yet to meet, and who likewise can have no idea she is even in the world; all this

awaits. New favorite movies, new foods, contusions and heartache and toothache, summer light and winter light, the embraceable melancholy of an incandescent bulb feebly burning in an under furnished room in a moment of quietude.

Later in the hotel, we three repair to an upstairs lounge whose wall of glass looks down 15 stories onto an L.A. street corpuscular with traffic. The ladies stand at the window and stare out, silhouetted against spreading urban dusk and that city light that seems to rise from evening architecture like carbonation. Where will our daughter be in 10 years? In 20? In 50 years? What sort of older woman will she be? How fiercely will she love?

Who are the people–strangers deeply, deeply beloved to us–who will love our grown daughter? What will she see that we won’t be given to see? Such a tempest awaits her! Directly across from us, a steel and glass building faces our own, its lit windows growing distinct in the twilight. One can see desks and lamps in there, can peer into the building’s shallow interior, a brightening diorama where doors empty into hallways, and other lives make their way in this stupendous realm of unsung glory.

Did you find it yet?

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WHAT’SHANGING? with Ted Mills 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

MAY ROUNDUP

D

id you all catch the Experiment Weekend during 4/20? Such a great start to a great idea, with the usually brutalist State Street underpass turned into one big projection collection, with Jonathan Smith, Kym Cochran, Ethan Turpin, Alan Macy, et al, doing their thing and placing the undersea world *above* our heads. And despite one City Councilman fretting about “Woodstock III” happening on Easter weekend (heaven forfend!), nobody took the brown acid, and nobody burnt trash dumpsters. Instead, regular folk seemed stoked to walk on State Street without getting run over by cars. More of this please! (Thanks to the Arts Fund of Santa Barbara, the City, and other orgs for making this happen.) Okay, now on to May: BLUES CLUES

The Arts Fund is not stopping with the underpass. On May 10, from 5-9 pm, and then exhibiting Saturday and Sunday (May 11, noon to 6 pm; May 12, noon to 4 pm), Claudia Borfiga and Matthew Head present “My Friend is SAD” a pop-up show of drawings, printmaking, 3D work, and “wordplay,” all about exploring ideas around demystifying sadness. Feeling glum? We’ve found you some chums!

Come feel blue together at 205-C Santa Barbara Street.

WILD AND WOOLY

Taiana Giefer creates one-of-a-kind tapestries, large ones, out of the woolen fabric that she also makes herself. Over five years she has made 28 tapestries, all of which will be on display at El Presidio this May 11 for one day only. This event will be a kickoff to her eponymous store and act as a fundraiser for the Organic Soup Kitchen’s brand-new space set to open later this summer. Viewing 1-7 pm, with drinks served at 3 pm and artist reception at 5 pm. At El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, 123 East Canon Perdido.

ANYONE FOR TENNIS (CLUB)?

Once again it’s time for a visit from the Santa Barbara Visual Artists org, now in its 6th year, as they return to the Santa Barbara Tennis Club (2375 Foothill Road) for a show curated by your favorite and mine, Susan Tibbles.

Artists featured: Jan Baker, Lynn Dodge, Cheryl Doty, Ann Elliott, Britt Friedman, Karen Frishman, Cami Helmuth, Lynn Humphrey, Carissa Luminess, Soosan Marshall, Dee Faia Parkins, Gloria Peyrat, and Judith Villa. Always a fun 2nd Friday,

the Club will be hosting the reception May 10, 5:30-7:30 pm, and will hang thru June 7. See you there!

“Portraits” series. Opening reception May 16, 6 to 8 pm, and the show runs thru July 14.

CHEERS TO JAN

CHIMING IN

Another well known and loved curator in town, Jan Ziegler, is hanging up her curating shoes at MichaelKate Interiors to focus on her work at 10 West Gallery. For her last hurrah, she has curated “Motility,” running May 17 to July 7, featuring four favorites: Brad Nack (moving into his post-whimsy phase), Rick Doehring (energetic abstracts), Douglas Dafoe (wood and cement works), and Tom Post (large format abstracts). The reception takes place May 17, 5 to 8 pm at MichaelKate, 132 Santa Barbara Street.

ACTION PAINTING

Talking about Abstract Art, the Abstract Art Collective has teamed up with the Santa Barbara Sculptors Guild to exhibit “Working Titles” at the Public Library’s Faulkner Main Gallery.

The show will be juried by Sullivan Goss’ Susan Bush, and will explore the many ideas of abstract from painting, photographs, mixed media, and digital works, along with sculpture. Runs thru May 30.

THE LONG TAKE

James Benning is best known as an experimental filmmaker interested in landscapes, long, long takes, and a meditative outlook on this country of ours. But the upcoming show at MCA SB (Paseo Nuevo, upstairs) shows even more facets of the man, called “James Benning: Quilts, Cigarettes & Dirt (Portraits of America).” Yes, there will be screenings of his recent films Twenty Cigarettes and READERS but he will also show a selection of photographs and objects from his

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Los Angeles-based artist Chris Kallmyer brings “Ensemble” to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (1130 State Street) featuring a hand-crafted bell-ringing instrument aka a carillon.

Designed for making music by nonmusicians, it is designed to help people discover their own hidden performer through a series of events and workshops found on sbma.net. Thru September 15.

CALM AND COLLECTED

Also: I don’t usual promote book signings, but when I do they’re all about art, like the new one from David Gersh.

How to Collect Great Art on a Shoestring slots very nicely into the mission of this column, and local author Gersh is here to say that you can start collecting now without gabillions at your disposal.

PRETTY AS A PICTURE

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (136 East De la Guerra) has over 80,000 photographs in its collection, and a slim but pertinent selection of them make up the current show, “Great Photographers in Santa Barbara History: Gledhill Library Collection 1860-1960,” featuring documents of our city’s growth as well as its beauty.

LOOK TO THIS DAY, GRADUATE

Finally, May means MFA shows out at UCSB for art and arty students.

“Temporary Clash” presents the work of Maiza Hixson, Madeleine Eve Ignon, Adam Jahnke, Kayla Mattes, Elisa Ortega Montilla, Andrew Morrison, Echo Theohar, and Christopher Anthony Velasco, all showing their MFA Thesis work. Runs May 11 to June 2, with the all-important reception May 17, 5:30 to 7:30 pm. At UCSB’s AD+A Museum and absolutely worth the drive.

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CREATIVE CHARACTERS WILLIAM BELLOMY

by Zach Rosen

Each Murder Happens murder mystery box comes with all you need to entertain friends for a night. Just add costumes and silliness.

W

e’ve all had those moments with friends where no one is sure what to do for entertainment. This is always when board games come in handy.

From card games to tabletop classics, these different games are an easy way to entertain a group of friends for the evening. In an increasingly more digital world, the popularity of board games and game nights have been steadily on the rise, serving as a refreshingly analog way to enjoy the company of others.

One of the growing genres of games are murder mystery sets where a group of friends play different characters and act out scenarios to solve whodunit. If you’ve ever wondered about the man behind the murder mystery, I recently sat down with William Bellomy, the creator of Murder Happens murder mystery games, to learn about what goes into creating each mystery.

Born in Washington state, William went to college in San Diego to study art.

After graduating he worked as a graphic designer for different publications around that area. About twenty years ago, his wife got a job in Santa Barbara and they have been living here ever since.

He had always been interested in board games and their design. In college, he worked on his own board games, such as, one that battled spaceships. This was before computer games were a thing and players were even able to build and maintain their own spacecraft. Over the years he would play murder mystery games produced by other companies and always found something missing.

William was always fascinated with psychology and wanted to create a murder mystery that followed more organic human interactions. Other ones would split the experience into separate scenes. He found this segmented design

unnatural and desired to craft a game that would flow smoothly without pauses, more like how we actually interact in the real world. Another key difference is that many of the other murder mysteries have a rule about not lying. With his games, certain characters are actually encouraged to tell a lie or to lie about certain things. Let’s face it, if you’ve murdered someone you usually aren’t going to be truthful about it.

Although he never considered himself much of a writer, he was an avid reader and wanted to develop more depth for each character. What he found with trial runs of the various scenarios is that if someone is enabled to tell one lie with their character, they will start to tell more. It was also important to have the character sheets describe behaviors rather than explicitly state things to say. Other murder mysteries will give people an info sheet to just basically read off of. This process (and much of the writing) either leads to an obvious culprit or such a random one that it only proves the writer right and rarely the players. With his games, he wants everyone to feel like they were on the brink of solving the crime, or nearly there, after the time is up.

While each murder mystery is set to an intended theme, the different games have progressed to focus more on social situations and scenarios. When he begins writing a new murder mystery, he doesn’t even know who is the murderer.

It’s only after he has developed the characters and their personalities that he begins to see everyone’s role in the scenario and who specifically would be motivated to murder. When writing, he will choose who the murderer is from the naturally occurring scenarios and not just simple premeditated motives.

By doing this he is able to achieve

William Bellomy and his alter ego, Detective Thrasher, directs each murder mystery costumes and silliness.

realistic human character rather than caricature. Although a ghost has apparated in one of the mysteries, as of yet, the guilty characters tend not to be murder clowns, evil dolls, or psycho strangers. These characters follow more human, empathetic motives. Was it a crime of passion? Or just abashed self defense? This process shows the complex web of influences derived from human personalities rather than a simpler binary concept of whodunit. Basically, we are more complicated than a series of yes or no, right or wrong, answers.

Overall it is just about creating a more immersive experience.

The games are ideally designed for eight people. However, when in a pinch, each one has two characters that can be dropped if there’s not enough people in the group. Plus there are several extraneous characters in case a group has more people. This allows for a range of six to 12 players, making it adaptable to different size groups. Have trouble finding eight friends who want to play along? William suggests just finding eight people and mentions that by the end of the game you’ll have eight new friends.

Each game lasts two hours and he designed a simpler set of rules that allows the mystery to unfold more seamlessly.

The games are sold from his website and William uses his background in graphic design to craft the printed materials that come with each game.

Every murder mystery comes packaged in a box with instructions and all of the required materials. A police report serves as the introduction to the scenario and makes sure everyone has the same set of information to begin with.

Each game has its own set of evidence,

such as a victim’s journal or crime scene photos, for players to peruse throughout the game. These different pieces provide clues for the more observant sleuths.

There is also a large map that sets the scene of the crime. This helps players plot the movement of various characters and rationalize where they could’ve been when the murder happened. Each character has its own narrative that only the person playing them is allowed to see. Although, there are individual witness statements that every person reads out loud at the beginning so that the group can be introduced to each character. The game also includes a set of clue cards that are dealt out evenly at the beginning. He found that these clue cards were vital for encouraging social interaction so that more timid players had a reason to interact.

There are currently five different mysteries to solve and he is working on the next batch of games. With such themes like an ‘80s prom, a beatnik bash, or a steampunk party, the five games cover a range of genres that will fit the style of any friend group. There is also a Western one or an Egyptian theme for those who want to play around with more of a period piece. Gather some themed costumes and cook up some a few fitting appetizers to make an evening of it. So the next time your friends are looking for something to do for entertainment, consider getting in character and solving a murder. Think you have what it takes to figure out the case? The only way to know is to solve one yourself.

Visit MurderHappens.com for more information and to order your own mystery in a box.

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REAL ESTATE VIEW

by Michael Phillips Michael Phillips is president and principal broker of

with Mark Léisuré

Gone ‘Fish’-ing

I

didn’t know what to expect from Lights Up! Theatre Company’s debut production of Big Fish at the Marjorie Luke last month. After all, this was the first major undertaking from the new school-year teen theater conservatory program for kids aged 12-18 and it usually takes a while for such endeavors to get their sea legs. But Lights Up! came with quite a pedigree, as founderdirector Amy Love not only has enjoyed a film, theater, and TV production production/direction career in L.A., but has taught and directed in local schools since 2007, while choreographer Betsy Woyach, who also owns and directs Momentum Dance Company, has nearly two decades of experience as well.

Still, this was an astoundingly good production of a very fun show, a fatherson story of exaggeration, fantasy, connection, and forgiveness. The huge cast seemed well rehearsed and certainly enthusiastic, the big production numbers were full of fabulous set pieces and terrific dance sequences, and the costumes were worth the price of admission alone. Lights Up! is clearly a welcome addition to the array of acting opportunities for young people that are far more numerous than a typical town of this size and for which we can take a lot of pride. (For more big musicals from teenagers, read all about the lineup of high school musicals coming our way this month in my colleague’s Fortnight column elsewhere in this issue.)

FUN, FUN, FUN (‘TIL DADDY STEPS IN FRONT OF A BUS) Beyond Big Fish, the professional company Out of the Box has shown us that the modern musical is alive and well and in safe hands with Samantha Eve’s enterprising outfit, which most recently mounted Fun Home to close out its current season. The company made the coming-of-age, coming apart, come together musical both moving and magical via an almost perfectly cast ensemble led by Aileen Marie Scott, Rob Grayson, and Ember Reiter/Hattie Ugoretz (apologies that I don’t recall which kid I saw) as the protagonist at three different ages in the adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s autobiographical graphic novel. There are some show stopping numbers and quite a few tearjerkers in the tale of self-

acceptance and coming to terms with family adapted by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, making Fun Home, in this writer’s cast, by far the most complete production yet from Eve and OOB. Bravo.

EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE The Immediate Family show in early April attracted a lot of “cousins” to the five touring and studio stalwarts who comprise the band, including such local luminaries as David Crosby, Kenny Loggins, and Jeff Bridges, who had each gigged with at least one of the venerable veterans on stage.

IF put together and fronted by guitarist singer Danny Kortchmar and featuring guitarists Waddy Wachtel and Steve Postell and the revered rhythm section Leland Sklar on bass and Russ Kunkel on drums, worked its way through stunningly strong versions of songs associated with the rock gods they had supported when the songs became hits: Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money” and “Excitable Boy,” Jackson Browne’s “Somebody’s Baby,” Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” and “All She Wants to Do is Dance,” James Taylor’s “Honey Don’t Leave L.A.” and “Machine Gun Kelly” – all of which at least one member of the band had co-written, produced and/or played on. Wachtel, Kortchmar, and Postell acquitted themselves nicely trading lead singing duties as befit their voices and the songs and the set was a generous two-hours plus. Only issue? Earplugs weren’t enough to keep my ears from ringing afterward. Brought back a lot of memories.

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE UCSB second annual Art Walk could have used a little more cohesiveness – the vast spaces between events made it hard to reach any level of critical mass excitement. But there were quite a few highlights in the entries I caught on April 17, including a brass quintet performing from a patio on the third floor of the music building, and a couple of sitespecific dance pieces on the plaza near the Performing Arts building, which is also where a theater/English major was ...continued p.31

Phillips Real Estate. He can be reached at 805.969.4569 and info@MPPRE.net.

SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE HEAT INDEX

T

he Santa Barbara City Heat Index identifies demand for single family homes within Santa Barbara city limits in five price sectors.

By measuring buyer demand (signed contracts), rather than sales (closed escrows 30 days or more ago), we create both a present and forward-looking indicator of both overall market strength and direction the price point(s) where value and affordability meet, as well as a forecast of properties soon to close escrow.

And as activity fluctuates seasonally, today’s Heat Score is compared to this date last year. All data are from the Santa Barbara MLS and are uniformly deemed reliable.

The variation between today’s buyer demand, and that of a year ago, is a sizable 42.8%.

As the adjacent chart demonstrates, the first three price sectors easily exceeded last year’s numbers while the $2-3m and $3m and up sectors slightly underperformed last year.

Santa Barbara Heat Index 80 70

67

60 52

Heat Index

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.

50 40

39

42

2018 2019

30

28

25

20

23 17 11

10 0

3 Under 1M

1-1.5M

1.5M-2

2-3M

3M +

$$ in Millions

Buyers are competing hard for homes under $1m marking a score of 67, easily exceeding last year by 71.9% and our demand leader. Two-thirds of buyers here chose homes between $850K and $1m. And the 1m-$1.5m, and $1.5-2m groups also found very strong attention with scores of 60 and 52 respectively. There are presently ten homes for sale between $1.4m and $1.5m – five are under contract.

Buyer interest, however, begins to wane at approximately the $2m point; both the $2-3m sector and $3m and up scored lower than last year.

Year over year, the city’s average sales price is unchanged with the Eastside at $1,642,345 and the Westside at $1,414,153, while both experienced a slight decrease in Median Sales Price.

Should the city perform as other markets, which it often does not, sales should begin to slow. Nationally the slowdown is well in place, and in California, sales have been down for eleven months in a row. In San Francisco, where asking prices are extremely high much like ours, the median sales price fell for the first time since the 2012 bottom of the housing crash of 2007, after 83 months of consecutive price increases.

Most believe this slowing is due to affordability. Thirty percent of California sellers are choosing to move out of state to more affordable markets, up 10% since 2013. With asking prices at or very near pre-crash highs, the California Association of Realtors claims buyers are starting to back away and step out of the market.

However, with inflation staying quiet, and inventories continuing to build (largely because the pace of sales has slowed), Median Sales Prices will slightly decline for the near future. In Santa Barbara, the buyer has a very slight advantage.

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PLANB by Briana Westmacott 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.

LIKE A ROCK

The sunsets were stunning!

tops of the waves. A normally tranquil sight, it made my stomach tighten.

Wind.

You wouldn’t believe we had just disembarked from the crazy Channel crossing when we snapped this picture of my girls and me

“I

n every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir I have a NO rock sitting in my kitchen window sill. It’s shiny and black with the letters NO engraved in silver. I use it to remind me that it is absolutely ok to say NO to things – NO, I can’t be the class Room Parent this year. NO, I am not going to attend that party. NO, my child will not sell wrapping paper for a fundraiser. You get the picture.

A couple of years ago, my friend Anna Stump asked me if I wanted to join a group of women she was organizing.

She said she was putting together a mixture of ladies who she knew well, but who did not necessarily know each other. The intention was to break out of our regular circles, challenge ourselves in nature, and branch into new realms.

Anna had a vision; I was lucky she reached out to me and even luckier I didn’t say NO. When first approached, I almost said NO. I looked at my rock and thought about how I already felt spread thin.

With teaching, kids, writing, family, friends… I truly did not know if I could fit more on my plate. This group has been one of the best additions I could’ve made to that overloaded dish because it always leaves me nourished and full.

SUPERBLOOM In 2017, our group launched with a backpacking trip into the high country of Yosemite. We climbed mountains,

learned mountaineering skills, did yoga, and the seeds were planted for new friendships that would thrive and flourish. We also set a goal: One day we would take our daughters backpacking to imbue some extra grit and allow them to experience the raw beauty that nature has to offer.

Our mother/daughter backpacking trip was on the books for April 2019.

We had permits to camp on Santa Cruz Island, in Scorpion Bay. The packing and organizing began months in advance. We divided up meals, materials, and lists. We hunted down the gear and bought our boat tickets to cross the Channel. We prepared our girls for the adventure with stories from our past.

As the weekend for the trip approached, we watched the weather like hawks. For four days prior to our departure date, the Island Packers boat company had canceled their expeditions over to Santa Cruz Island due to the wind and rough seas. We received a message to call at 5:30 AM to check on our scheduled crossing. All of our tents, sleeping bags, and supplies were packed. If the boat would go, we were ready.

I woke at 5 and began to shuffle my gear around. When I received the “it’s a go” text, my pace picked up. I woke my two girls, Elli and Lila, and we loaded the car to head to the harbor.

As we rounded the corner at Rincon, I could see the mist blowing back off the

PLEASE, DON’T ROCK THE BOAT In Ventura, the woman behind the counter at the Island Packers checkin was issuing “raincheck” tickets to passengers. When I got to the front of the line, I inquired, “I don’t really get seasick. Should I take Dramamine?”

“Honey, every person electively getting on the boat should take medicine today,” she replied with sweetness.

I followed her advice and quickly told our tribe of mothers and daughters the same. We were 13 girls and seven moms boarding the vessel; we had plenty of Bonine to go around.

Motoring out of the harbor, one college-aged passenger casually commented, “This isn’t so bad.”

An Island Packer crew member calmly responded, “We are not even out of the harbor mouth yet.”

The reasoning for the rainchecks quickly became quite clear. The wind blasted our boat and the rocking ensued (picture The Perfect Storm). Our boat would slow as a wave approached, sway to and from, crest the wave, drop and motor into the next swell in the line-up. People quickly turned green.

Within 30 minutes there were bodies all over the floor of the deck and the rails were occupied with passengers in puke position. I have ridden on a lot of boats in my lifetime, nothing as bad as this.

Not long after our voyage commenced, both of my girls came to me with sheet white faces of fear and we found a spot on the rail. I dug my heels into the deck and held my girls up as the Pacific Ocean demonstrated her power.

What would normally take an hour, took two and the visions I had of Elli and Lila acquiring new levels of strength through this trip were replaced by the thought that I may have forever scarred

them from ever embarking on any sort of boat passage. Rough seas are just that, rough.

But kids are resilient. We pulled into the dock on Santa Cruz Island and spilled off of that torturous boat. Within a half hour, all of the kids were eating lunches and hefting their backpacks up the trail to set up camp.

We were immediately greeted by the infamous Island Fox. These cute little creatures posed for pictures and later unzipped our tents to steal food before marking their territory on our wagons.

Their cuteness proved to be deceiving.

The high winds we experienced on our boat ride over were dying down.

Our campsite was nestled in a grove of Eucalyptus trees a short walk from the beach. The hillsides were still a luscious green from our wet winter and wildflowers sprouted out from the cliffs.

Who knew such rugged beauty existed just outside Santa Barbara’s back door?

We had our daughters help us set up tents and camp. In the middle of this process, I realized that neither of my kids was complaining. Had it been my husband and me with them, they would have been whining and resisting any manual labor. In the presence of mothers and daughters, their backs were bent and hands were working without a peep.

We spent two nights on the island.

We kayaked to glowing caves and coves, sat with our feet in the sand, woke with the sun and slept with the stars. We hiked to lookouts and were constantly entertained by Mother Nature’s beauty.

On the morning we were set to return, I had to do some convincing in order to get my girls back on the boat across the Channel, but the wind and water cooperated and smooth seas brought us home.

I hope this trip instilled an internal sense of power and strength in my girls.

It is a start just to know they are capable

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

P R I VAT E J E T C H A R T E R FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE

All of the moms enjoying their Go Chairs. See my Best Bet for details.

of setting up a tent on their own and walking into the woods with a pack on their back. And they definitely got an understanding that there will be times in your life when you will be faced with rough, choppy patches to get through, but they often lead to beauty on the other side.

I cherish and value my NO rock; it gives me the strength to make good choices and avoid people and places that do not feed my soul. I’m so glad my internal compass steered me towards this group of women, and now our growing girls get to experience the importance of surrounding yourself with people who

build you up and support you through your times of need. Like a rock.

BRIANA’S BEST BET My friend Anna’s husband is an inventor. His latest creation, the Go Chair, is a “bottle-sized chair for anywhere.” This gadget is so compact and portable, it was perfect for our backpacking adventure. When the Go Chair is unfolded, you have a complete seat any place you need to get off your feet. As we head into beach season, I would recommend picking up some Go Chairs for you and yours. www. thegochair.com

S a n ta Ba r b a r a Av i at i on . c o m 805.967.9000 B A S E D I N S A N TA B A R B A R A S I N C E 1 9 9 9

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR SALE IN A+ LOCATION 401 CHAPALA ST, #113, SANTA BARBARA, CA 310.729.1096 | TOM STRUCKHOFF TOMSTRUCKHOFF@KW.COM DRE #01935424

1585 SQ FT

DEREK ANDREWS | 310.595.0344 DEREKANDREWS@KW.COM DRE #01188918

PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION

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E’S NOTE by Elliana Westmacott Elliana Westmacott was born and raised in Santa Barbara. She is 10. She loves to play the piano and soccer. Skiing, swimming in the ocean, reading, and visiting her Nana’s house are some of her favorite things to do. Her family and her dog George make her happy. So does writing.

UPS AND DOWNS

C

amping. It can be fun, but I had always thought it was gross – days without a shower, bugs crawling everywhere, cold nights of rocky sleep, that pretty much summed up camping in my mind. When I was told I was being forced to go on a backpacking camping trip on an uninhabited island (Santa Cruz Island) my reaction was simply NO. I used every excuse: “I’m going to have homework.” “I have tests that day.” “I feel sick.” But nope, I couldn’t get out of it.

Our travel day was cold, the air was damp, and worst of all the ocean was choppy. Not the bumps most of us can handle; this was full on waves that make you want to hurl every five minutes.

Our boat nearly didn’t take us across the Channel. I had no idea how bad the boat was going to be until the moment we left the harbor. Mountains. The waves were like mountains. After two hours of literal hell, we got to the island. As I look back

now, I realize after spending the two days I spent on Santa Cruz Island, that the boat ride was worth it.

We kayaked into caves, jumped off of piers, stargazed with friends, and best of all hiked to the top of the world. I swear I had never appreciated nature more than I did while hiking on that island. I mean, I’m a teenager (despite what it says in my bio). I’m lazy and don’t always want to hike but I’m glad my mom got me out of my tent and up onto those cliffs. There were colors that I can’t even describe and a view that made me gasp on sight. A cliffside inspired my friends and me to run far away from the rest of the sightseers just to get different perspectives. I can assure you, it was truly astonishing.

Another part of the trip I’m thankful for is the way I reconnected with old friends. Changing schools is hard and I had to do this in 6th grade. Not only do you have to push to make new friends, but you also have to try to stay in contact

Gigi, Olivia, and me on the island cliffs

with old friends. I had lost touch with some of my old friends, but taking this trip with two of them made it clear that we hadn’t lost our friendship. And to be honest, I thought the trip might be a little awkward at first. But as soon as

we went through the worst experience of our lives, aka the horrifying boat ride, we found many things to relate to. We went through heaven and hell together and have grown from the experience… the process of ups and downs.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is pleased to congratulate KELLY MAHAN HERRICK AND THE CALCAGNO & HAMILTON TEAM for representing the buyers of 120 W. Yanonali, which closed for $1,976,500 after receiving multiple offers.

Kelly Mahan Herrick (805) 208-1451 Kelly@HomesInSantaBarbara.com REAL ESTATE TEA M

www.HomesInSantaBarbara.com

©2019 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

DRE 01499736/01129919/01974836

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...continued from p.14

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

is pleased to congratulate

A home on Olive Mill Road that was damaged in the 1/9 debris flow recently came on the market for $1,495,000; it is one of several mud-damaged homes listed or currently in escrow (Listed

by Marco & Jeff Farrell of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

KELLY MAHAN HERRICK AND THE CALCAGNO & HAMILTON TEAM on the successful representation of the sellers at 305 E. Islay Street, which received multiple offers and closed at $1,595,000

Kelly Mahan Herrick (805) 208-1451

Kelly@HomesInSantaBarbara.com www.HomesInSantaBarbara.com DRE 01499736/01129919/01974836 ©2019 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

we’ve maybe seen in the past. Sellers should remember that this is not the time to over inflate the value of their homes, and if they are serious about selling, should be realistic about the market and set their price accordingly.

My advice to buyers is to enjoy the increased inventory that spring brings.

But be aware that homes in coveted areas, priced well, will often move quickly and with multiple offers. It’s important that buyers are pre-qualified with a local mortgage company and have done the necessary preliminary paperwork, so they can compete against all-cash offers.

TOP MARKET PICKS There is so much inventory to choose from right now and there are great buys in every price point. Here are some of my top picks under $5M. UNDER $1M In this price point, buyers can typically get a little more “house” if they choose a PUD or condo. Some of the best buys right now are in Carpinteria, where there are three PUDs at the Villas of Carpinteria, ranging in price from

$699k to $859k. Another beautiful condo development on the north side of the 101 freeway in Carpinteria is the Meadow, where there are currently two units for sale, both priced at $849k.

Both developments have sparkling pools and are well maintained.

For a single family home, my top pick under $1M is 1622 Villa Avenue on the west side of Santa Barbara. With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, plus a bonus office space, this super charming Spanish style home is on a quiet street and close to downtown and the beach. $1M TO $2M This price point is currently the sweet spot in our market, with over 200 homes currently for sale in this segment.

Las Palmas Viejas is an impressive townhome development located on Modoc Road, near Hollister. One of the very best units there is currently listed for sale, and it is a tremendous value at $1,095,000. With three bedrooms, three bathrooms, over 2500 sq. ft., and a rooftop deck with wet bar, this home is conveniently located near the bike path, ...continued p.30

Listed at $798k, 1268-1 Cravens Lane is a top pick for buyers looking for value under $1M (listed by Calcagno & Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services)

1622 Villa Avenue is a charming Spanish style home, listed for $935k and central to downtown and the beach (listed by The Easter Team of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services)

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...continued from p.28

An end unit townhome at Las Palmas Viejas is a great value for over 2,500 square feet of space; listed at $1,095,000 by Dusty Baker of Sotheby’s

226 Ortega Ridge Road is a reimagined vintage farmhouse, overlooking the ocean on the border of Montecito and Summerland (listed

by Marsha Kotlyar of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services)

In the prestigious neighborhood near the El Encanto hotel, this home on Mission Ridge is a great value for $2,595,000 (listed by Christine & Fal Oliver of Sotheby’s)

Lowest price home in MUS: 2176 East Valley Road, listed for $1,495,000 by Josiah Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

A gem in the upper east: 410 East Padre is just steps from the Mission and rose gardens; listed for $1,795,000

by Ryan Malmsten of Santa Barbara Brokers

and in Vieja Valley School district.

Another home in this price segment that I think is a great buy: 2176 East Valley Road in Montecito. The chic and modern Montecito cottage has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and is the lowest priced home in the Montecito Union School district at $1,495,000. The house is set back away from East Valley, with lush landscaping, an enviable front porch, and modern updates.

Listed at $1,795,000, 410 East Padre Street is located just steps from the Mission rose garden in the upper east neighborhood. This charming Colonial

style home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and is in the Roosevelt School district. $2M TO $3M New to the market this week, 226 Ortega Ridge Road is perched on the edge of Montecito, with pretty ocean views on half an acre of landscaped grounds.

This reimagined 1880 farmhouse exudes charm and elegance, and has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and multiple covered verandas and patios.

Listed for $2,250,000.

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neighborhood, is 1840 Mission Ridge, listed at $2,595,000. This gracious, traditional home has been tastefully remodeled, and the flexible floor plan offers two master suites on main and upper levels, each with sitting room and a luxury bath. There are two other guest bedrooms, and the home is just less than 2900 square feet. $3M TO $4M Also in the Mission/Riviera neighborhood, near to the El Encanto hotel, is 1634 Mira Vista, which offers ocean views, classic Spanish style, and an open, flexible floor plan with dualliving capability. Built in 1946 by renowned builder/architect D’Alfonso,

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the home is near Franceschi Park and has an expansive outdoor terrace, iron balconies, a Bocce Ball court and waterwise gardens. Offered for $3,450,000.

A newer listing tucked away in a coveted Hedgerow cul-de-sac in Montecito, 238 Miramar Avenue is an architecturally significant, single-level Jack Warner designed home that features four bedrooms and five bathrooms in a comfortably spacious contemporary home. The living spaces, as well as the main bedrooms, are all built around the central pool providing a private indoor/ outdoor courtyard feel. The property is studded with decades old oak trees and ...continued p.35 Sales • Service • Party Rentals 35 YEARS in Business!

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clicking away on a manual typewriter composing an “affirmations” letter based on five key words provided by the recipient. Jill Felber’s flute ensemble in the foyer of the Art Museum provided a lovely soundtrack for surveying the psyche probing artwork from Carl Jung, and the open rehearsal of Into the Beautiful North was interesting if incomprehensible given we entered midscene. Most inspirational was the oboe master class from guest artist Aaron Hill, whose metaphorical expressions reminded me just how thrilling these performance-with-feedback events can be. Can’t want for the Music Academy and its almost 100-something master classes to get going.

RANDOM NOTES Yeah, I’m stealing that title from Rolling Stone’s long running potpourri column, and that’s because this section starts with a few words about Annie Leibovitz, the iconic photographer who got her start at the rock and roll magazine way back in the 1970s. Was it just me, or did anyone else wish that Leibovitz would have finished a couple of sentences before invariably interrupting herself during her talk at the Arlington Theatre back at the end of February – and that was before Pico Iyer even started asking her questions.

I heard that she was tired and hadn’t had much time to prepare for her presentation – and to be clear she’s an amazing photographer with a brilliant imagination, a sharp eye, and a strong intellect who has had an enviable career and roster of subjects, and there were lots of interesting anecdotes and behind-the-scenes details about the shots. But I’m thinking if she snapped her pictures the way she talked at the Arlington, she might have ended up as a collage artist…

I’ve seen just about every BASSH since Derrick Curtis first created the showcase of performances from local dance studios and professional teachers who originally specialized in ballroom, Argentine tango, swing, salsa, and hip-hop styles that gave the event its acronymic name 20 years ago. And I’ve got to say I was mighty impressed by the performance at the end of March that leveraged the professional quotient, reduced the schmaltzy segments (and silly between number patter) to near zero, and amped up the newish aerial aspects to great effect. To these eyes, we’re pretty damn lucky that this is such a passion project for Curtis, who tirelessly seeks out new choreographers to add to the show’s roster and has seen his vision result in lots of tentacles as new companies of his former and current BASSH participants spring to life.

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W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

P h i l l i P s r e a l e s tat e U p pe r V i l l a ge, M o n te c i to

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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.

LIQUID FARM LAUNCHES AND CIRCLE V RANCH RE-OPENS

T

here is a cult of Burgundian-style Chardonnay fans cheering upon hearing the happy news that Liquid Farm Wines is launching an interactive, lifestyle-based tasting room and mercantile in Los Olivos. Coinciding with the wine label’s 10-year anniversary, the tasting room just opened on Friday, May 3.

Jeff Nelson, founder and owner of Liquid Farm, says his label’s name was on his mind for many years, and became the catalyst for Liquid Farm’s first vintage, which was born of four barrels of 2009 Chardonnay.

Jeff reports he has been in the wine business for nearly 30 years, and explains it was his experience working for Veuve Clicquot in the 1990s that helped shape how Liquid Farm was formed. He went on to work for other Champagne houses to help further his branding experience, but it was not until he was working for Champagne Henriot, which also owned William Fèvre Chablis and Bouchard Père et Fils, that he fell in love with Burgundy.

Now a Santa Ynez Valley resident, Jeff says when he lived in Los Angeles, he was a locavore when it came to food, but he didn’t “drink local,” and “with friendship and guidance from Dragonette Cellars, I was able to produce those first 100 cases of Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills, which resembled more of an old world style.

It was what I enjoyed drinking, but grown closer to home,” says Jeff.

“Often said, but very true, all great wine starts in the vineyard. Our project’s name reflects our strong belief in that philosophy,” says Jeff explaining Liquid Farm wines are allowed to develop on their own with little intervention, minimal or no new oak and use no additives or machines to manipulate the wines inherent personality.

“We work with in the small AVA of Sta. Rita Hills to produce a collection of Chardonnays that are markedly different expressions, but with the same thread of intense minerality and salinity they started with in the vineyard.”

Using the wine term “typicity” (used to describe the degree to which a wine grape reflects its varietal origins and demonstrates its signature characteristics), Jeff says, “Our wines shine a spotlight on the representation of the soil in which the vines producing their wines, have grown. Our grapes are pulled from a carefully curated selection of vineyards, some of which are organically farmed, and these sustainablyproduced wines face minimal contact in the winery yielding modest alcohol levels and preserved natural acidity.”

Liquid Farm’s current case production is around 5,000 cases, all overseen by winemaker James Sparks. Sparks began his winemaking career as assistant winemaker for Dragonette Cellars, which is where he met Jeff. In 2013, Sparks reports he made the leap from his assistant winemaking role into a lead position, as winemaker for Liquid Farm. “James is a magic-man in the vineyard – knowing when to pick. That translates into minimal intervention in the winery, which is what Liquid Farm is all about. We are creating liquid from farming,” says Jeff.

The new Los Olivos tasting room follows the 2018 opening of the brand’s Lompoc tasting room, adjacent to the Liquid Farm winery facility where winemaker James Sparks produces the label’s nine different bottlings.

“Los Olivos is a wine tasting mecca in Santa Barbara County, making it a perfect location for our second tasting room,” says Jeff, adding, “We want to promote an authentic lifestyle and bring people together. Every detail of the tasting room is being built with that in mind. We want people to spend quality time with us, enjoying all we have to offer, and not just rush off to their next tasting.”

In an effort to create a space unlike any other tasting room in Santa Ynez Valley, Jeff reports he brought in Los Angeles-based furniture and interior designer, Kim Salmela, also a former creative director for musician Prince.

“Wine is about gathering, hanging, slowing down, and enjoying life. All of the seating vignettes in the tasting room are meant for groups to be able to converse and meet new people,” says Salmela. “Also, the brand itself just naturally lends itself to a ‘look.’ We are playing off of the ‘farm’ part of course, with botanical wallpapers and tons of plants and foliage, but are putting a modern and eclectic spin on it.”

The new space is set up as a mercantile, where guests can refuel on grab-and-go snacks and other foods and products from local businesses, while browsing the treasure-trove of home furnishings and gifts which Salmela reports she has sourced

Creating “liquid from farming,” founder Jeff Nelson and winemaker James Sparks will open a wine tasting room in Los Olivos this month

from all over the world.

The Liquid Farm Tasting Room and Mercantile is located at 2445 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Suite 101 in Los Olivos. Business hours for the tasting room will be: Monday-Thursday, 11 am to 5 pm; Friday-Sunday, 11 am-7 pm. Private tasting appointments outside of those hours, or reservations for large groups, may be made by calling Brian Evans at (805) 868-2426.

CIRCLE V RANCH SUMMER CAMP SERIES FOR KIDS ircle V Ranch Camp has announced four session dates and themes for the 2019 summer season. “We have been focused on reopening Circle V since the Whittier Wildfire on July 8, 2017 forced our closure with damage to our health lodge, craft cabin, and water treatment facility. We are so grateful to so many volunteers and community members who have helped us raise funds and worked to make our reopening a reality,” says Ray Lopez, Camp Director, adding, “I started as a counselor at Circle V Ranch Camp in 1993 and have been Camp Director since 2008. Our staff and I are all so blessed to be able to welcome everyone back again.”

Circle V Ranch Camp & Retreat Center was founded in 1945 by St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles and has been located since 1990 on 30 acres in the Los Padres National Forest across from Cachuma Lake just 20 minutes inland from Santa Barbara.

During the summer months, Circle V Ranch Camp sessions offer six days and five nights of traditional sleepover supervised camp activities for boys and girls ages 7-13 and leadership training for ages 14-17. Campers enjoy activities including archery, arts & crafts, hiking, swimming in the pool, learning about nature, painting, photography, playing baseball, basketball, ping pong, foosball, soccer, miniature golf, and of course, campfires, skits, and singing. There is no TV, radio, or Internet access to affect the experience. Campers stay overnight in wood cabins and three nutritious daily meals are served family style in the Dining Lodge featuring plenty of food, camaraderie, and fellowship.

C

2019 SUMMER SESSION DATES AND THEMES ARE: Session One: Friday, July 12 to Wednesday, July 17 ~ Space Week Session Two: Saturday, July 20 to Thursday, July 25 ~ Adventure Week Session Three: Friday, July 26 to Wednesday, July 31 ~ Carnival Week Session Four: Saturday, August 3 to Thursday, August 8 ~ Talent Show Week The Circle V Ranch Camp fee for six days and five nights including lodging, all meals, activities, recreation and supervised fun is $600 per child. “Camperships” (scholarships made by donations) are available for qualified campers. For complete info on fees and camperships, visit www.CircleVRanchCamp.org/ datesthemesfees.html

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E X PE RT I S E Expert advice.

Comprehensive solutions.

Extraordinary results.

Helping to optimize your financial success.

©Richard Schloss

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...continued from p.30

whistles, including a separate “catering kitchen,” gym and wine room, and custom doors and windows that bring the outdoors in. Listed for $4,750,000.

MORTGAGE HAPPENINGS

by Jon McCuskey Loan Consultant NMLS# 357850 (805) 456-9120 Jon.McCuskey@nafinc.com e are almost halfway through the year and moving into the traditionally busy home-buying summer season. At the end of last year, we were witnessing the highest mortgage rates seen in quite some time, rising home prices locally, and uncertainty on the global scale with regards to politics and economics.

So where does this put us now at the beginning of May? My answer: In a really great spot.

Since the beginning of March, we have seen a steady and significant drop in interest rates, which has spurred an influx of new home and refinance mortgage applications. Homes in desirable locations are still receiving multiple offers, but the fervor that we experienced last year has settled a bit. My personal feeling is that we are

W 734 Sea Ranch Drive is a hip, environmentally conscious home with incredible ocean views (listed by Gregg Leach of Village Properties)

mature landscaping throughout. It is located in the Montecito Union School district, and is listed for $3,750,000. $4M TO $5M New to the market this week is 485 Monarch Lane, a casita behind the gates of Ennisbrook in Montecito.

This understated and elegant, fourbedroom, four-bath home offers impeccable quality throughout; the property offers a main level master suite, guest suite, and two guest bedrooms upstairs. The indooroutdoor Santa Barbara lifestyle is

present in almost every room in the home, with perfectly situated private terraces, patios and gardens.

Ennisbrook living offers gated privacy, two clubhouses, four tennis courts, two pools, and two gyms. This home is sold furnished, and is listed for $4,125,000 by Dana Zertuche and Lori Bowles of Coldwell Banker.

Offering gorgeous panoramic views from Santa Barbara’s Campanil neighborhood, 734 Sea Ranch Drive is newly remodeled with a mid-century modern style. Set on a 1.36-acre parcel, this 3/3 home has all the bells and

Reaso ason n to H Re aso ason nop e to

starting to see some normalization in the market. With lower rates comes greater borrower affordability and a potential for refinances for those borrowers who may have missed the boat during the last rate dip.

The economists at Freddie Mac (one of the largest government sponsored purchasers of mortgages) are predicting the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate to hold at 4.3%-4.5% throughout the year. Meanwhile average rates for adjustable mortgages are expected to hold in the high 3% range to low 4% range.

Overall this recent decline in rates and a stabilizing market should bring more buyers back to the table. It also can encourage the refinance market to take shape and possibly increase spending on remodels or other personal expenses. It’s a refreshing bit of news for the mortgage world, and for the consumer it helps breathe some life into what was predicted to be a negative 2019.

I can’t stress this enough: For those who purchased in the latter half of 2018, look at a possible refinance, and for those buyers who are waiting for the doomsday crash, put those fears aside for now and revisit the idea of a home purchase while rates are low.

Hop e

We proclaim that there is a reason for the hope within us.

Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am and fellowship afterwards.

We offer many different days and times for Bible study during the week: Sunday morning following worship, Wednesday evening, Thursday afternoon, Friday morning.

We also have a prayer group which meets on Tuesday evenings.

Check our website for our weekly schedule: www.EmanuelLutheranSB.org or call the church office 805-687-3734

3721 Modoc Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 EmanuelLutheranSB.org info@EmanuelLutheranSB.org 3721 Modoc Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 EmanuelLutheranSB.org info@EmanuelLutheranSB.org 805.687.3734 805.687.3734

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W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

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IHeart SB

M AY 4 – J U N E 1 | 2 0 1 9 |

18+ only

By Elizabeth Rose

I Heart SB is the diary of Elizabeth Rose, a thirtysomething navigating life, love, and relationships. She lives on a 34-foot sailboat and navigates that too. Follow her adventures on Instagram or at www.ihearterose.com. Thoughts or comments: ihearterose@gmail.com

GOODBYE BOAT LIFE: PART 1

W

hen Jason first mentioned selling our boat, Astrologer, a few months ago, I took it with a grain of salt for a couple reasons: One, living in denial is a great temporary fix when you don’t want to deal with your home being put to market.

And two, a boat can be a hard sell. I can think of at least two cruisers who listed their boats a year ago and haven’t gotten any hits. I know this because when Jason and I returned to the boatyard in San Carlos, Mexico to relaunch our boat this season, we noticed our friends’ vessels rotting away in the storage lot next door. So, secretly I kept my fingers crossed we wouldn’t get any bids. Yeah, it would strain our wallets to keep paying for storage, but I had bigger plans. I dreamt of Astrologer as a vacation home. A place in Mexico I could visit for a week here and there to get away and write. But as the sun dipped below the horizon on our last voyage, in the pit of my stomach, I knew this could be the end.

The final passage was thirty-six hours from Puerto Vallarta to Mazatlan, so we used the next day to stretch our legs by wandering the city. At this point, I had semicome-to-terms with the fact we were selling the boat, so my next survival instinct was to pack up immediately and get the heck out. Any more down time with Astrologer – hearing the dock lines creek with the ebb and flow of the tide, sitting in the galley and tracing the soft wood with my hand, the ease of popping on deck to watch a sunset on any given night – would only make matters worse. In that spirit, Jason and I took the evening bus to San Carlos to fetch our van from the boatyard, stay a couple nights to see friends, then return to Astrologer and move out. I have to say it was comforting to be in the boatyard again, to see familiar faces and be surrounded by sailboats getting primped and prepped to launch at sea. It was the feeling of new beginnings, excitement, and anticipation (the complete opposite emotional space I

In the pit of my stomach, I knew this could be the end. was currently in). When friends asked if we had any offers yet, I’d lift my hands and shake my head as if to say, it probably won’t sell while secretly hoping it wouldn’t.

Two days later, we returned to Astrologer and I was ready to move out as fast as possible. Back and forth we’d walk from the dock to the parking lot, shoulders weighed down with bags and arms full of whatever we couldn’t shove into bags. As I approached the boat from taking a load to the van, I noticed a man on the dock talking to Jason. The stranger looked at Astrologer, pointing out various spots while Jason nodded in agreement. Not wanting to interrupt them as I neared, I smiled while scooting past to climb aboard and continue packing. I went into the v-berth to fold clothes into square travel bags but shot a few side-glances out the port-light windows to see if the stranger was still there. There he was, still pointing and talking.

And with no desire to eavesdrop, I traveled to the galley and began emptying food from the cabinets. As if on cue, Jason popped in the cabin. A knot appeared in my stomach which, five seconds ago, was not there. I was informed the stranger’s name was Greg, and as Jason picked up a box of animals crackers, I leaned against the counter to brace myself for what was next. “It’s crazy,” he said, throwing a gorilla cookie into his mouth. “I think he’s interested in buying the boat.”

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ON ART

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

by Margaret Landreau

In the last 18 years, Margaret Landreau has accumulated 13 years of serving on the Board of Directors of Santa Barbara County arts-related nonprofits and has worked as a freelance arts writer for 10 years. She creates her own art in her Carpinteria studio.

DOUGLAS DAFOE, SCULPTOR AND MOSAIC ARTIST

obsession, from the first thing in the morning when I get up. I did contract for forty years, but I’d rather do artwork! I’m teaching myself and no one tells me it’s good or bad, so it’s not work to me. I’m grateful I’ve met so many new people.”

See DaFoe’s works at MichaelKate May 17 through July 7 with a reception on May 17, or contact him at (805) 570-5669 or eroyd@cox.net.

from ethnic Mayan, Japanese, Arabic, and Oriental artwork into his creations that range from 14 inches up to six feet.

He also creates his own molds for cement and molded creations. The painting, texturing, coloring, and patinas that he experiments with give his work detail and depth and provide endless variety in his finishes so far giving a truly ancient antique quality.

Working with curator Jan Ziegler helped him take steps to market his work. From May 17 to July 7, you don’t want to miss his show at MichaelKate, which will sadly be the last show curated there by Ziegler. Happily, with every end comes a new beginning and going forward Ziegler will be concentrating her efforts as Director at 10 West Gallery.

This year, DaFoe sold three pieces at 10 West Gallery, and at Palm Springs Art Fair he sold three more works. He took 10 pieces to the Pacific Design Center in L.A. where he sold six of them. He’s thrilled at having sold 12 pieces in two months. He shares, “These creations have become an

“I

t just exploded out of me” is how Douglas DaFoe describes his second career as an artist. After 40 years as a local carpenter and general contractor, he wasn’t planning or expecting a second career, until one day two years ago he came across an image of a Palm Springs building in the shape of a Cairo pentagonal tessellation. The shape began to fascinate him with design possibilities, and he thought of re-creating it as a floor design.

Drawing on his woodworking background, he created his first wood mosaic, approximately 5’ by 6’, painting it a monochromatic green. But it had hooked him, and he immediately made a second creation, a completely different mosaic with colorful painting. He mounted them on 1” thick boards for hanging on the wall.

The designs are based on geometric shapes, demanding skill and accuracy.

He achieves the precision required to create 150 pieces exactly the same size with multiple saws and jigs. Most shapes are straight edged, but occasionally there is a curved shape. His familiarity with Mid-Century Modern architecture, such as Innes House and Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Hollyhock House,” both in Los Angeles, influences his work. He is having fun incorporating stylized shapes

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Forty countries in the Western Hemisphere are now experiencing active, mosquito-borne transmission of the Zika virus, assistant secretary of state for scientific affairs, Judith Garber, told media outlets recently.

“It is only a matter of time before we experience local transmission in continental USA,” she warned.

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SANTA BARBARA Multi-unit property w/ additional development opportunity on this 1.1 acre lot. Now zoned DR-20.

Kevin Goodwin (805) 448-2400 GTprop.com/4555Hollister $2,600,000

CARPINTERIA 360 degree ocean and mountain views from this 25 acre ranch, 2 AG-zoned lots with a private well, avocado orchard and a large, updated farmhouse plus 2 additional homes.

Caitlin Benson (805) 699-5102 William Stonecipher (805) 450-4821 GTprop.com/4508Foothill $3,400,000

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John Thyne (805)895-7309 GTprop.com/532State $2,495,000

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Marcus Boyle (805) 452-0440 GTprop.com/350Chapala#D $1,875,000

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GOLETA Over 2300 sq ft home w/ 3BD/2BA. Situated on cul-de-sac location, w/ pool & playground in Kellogg School Dist.

Anthony Bordin (805) 729-0527 GTprop.com/5329OrchardPark $1,180,900

SANTA BARBARA Mid-Century modern sanctuary located in the Foothill School district featuring 3BD/2BA & bonus room on oversized lot with pool.

Caitlin Benson (805) 699-5102 GTprop.com/4811Winding $935,000

MONTECITO Wide ocean views from spacious top floor 2BD/2BA condo in one of Montecito’s premier condos.

Marcus Boyle (805) 452-0440 GTprop.com/1220CoastVillage#308 $895,000

SANTA BARBARA Large, corner, ground floor two story warehouse w/ offices. Storage room, full bathroom, 3 parking spaces.

John Thyne (805)895-7309 GTprop.com/149SQuarantina $849,000

SANTA BARBARA Move-in condition, single level, ground floor (no stairs) home in Forte Ranch Complex. 3BD/2BA near pool area.

William Stonecipher 805-450-4821 GTprop.com/4662Gerona $799,000

4326 MODOC RD #G

2654 STATE ST #33

4482 CARPINTERIA AVE #A

5455 8TH ST #80

2920 JUNIPER AVE

SANTA BARBARA 2 stories of living space w mountain views in this 3BD/2.5BA condo w/ lg private patio and 2 car garage.

PJ Williams (805)403-0585 GTprop.com/4326Modoc#G $795,000

SANTA BARBARA Ground level, (no stairs) spacious 2BD/2BA condo, living room w/ fireplace, large (private) patio near pool.

Anthony Bordin (805)729-0527 GTprop.com/2654State#33 $649,500

CARPINTERIA Detached 2BD/2BA townhouse w/ no common walls, feels like single family home on quiet lane.

Marcus Boyle (805) 452-0440 GTprop.com/4482CarpinteriaAveA $584,000

CARPINTERIA Move in ready condo, 2BD/ 2BA, end unit w/ private patio. Complex offers pool, clubhouse & spa.

Anthony Bordin (805)729-0527 GTprop.com/5455EighthSt80 $534,500

MORRO BAY Build your dream home on the Central Coast. Entitled land use permit for 3600+ sq ft home 4BD/4.5BA + 3 car garage.

Kevin Goodwin (805) 448-2200 GTprop.com/2920JuniperAvenue $375,000

FEATURED PROPERTY

P.J. WILLIAMS

1200 ESTRELLA DR

FEATURED PROPERTY 1029 ARBOLADO RD

REALTOR®

P.J. Williams is a successful Entrepreneur, serving the local Santa Barbara area for 3 decades. P.J. consistently exceeds client expectations as a High-achieving Realtor, maximizing savings to all of his buyers and sellers. P.J. will serve all of your real estate needs, including commercial, residential and property management.

SANTA BARBARA Enjoy almost 2 acres of private woodlands in Hope Ranch in this 4BD/3BA two story home with mountain views.

Olesya Thyne (805) 708-1917 GTprop.com/1200EstrellaDrive $2,499,000

DRE# 01908420

PJ is a safe bet to go with, years of experience and he has been trained by Real Estate Attorneys which is a real plus. He brings a lot to the table and he gets the job done.”

- Al Von Kessler

P.J. Williams: (805) 403-0585 • PJWilliams@GTprop.com

SANTA BARBARA Enjoy ocean/ island/city views from nearly every room of this completely renovated 4BD/3BA home.

Kevin Goodwin (805) 448-2200 GTprop.com/1029ArboladoRd $2,495,000

www.GTprop.com • 2000 State Street, Santa Barbara • (805) 899-1100 DRE# 01477382