Sacred Space Odyssey

Grand

Photo by Jessikah Fechner

We are currently seeking consignments of single items and entire collections. Bonhams specialists are regularly in your area offering complimentary in-person auction estimates.

Schedule your appointment Morisa Rosenberg +1 (323) 436 5435 morisa.rosenberg@bonhams.com sell.bonhams.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

P.5

P.6

Dream. Design. Build. Live.

P.8

The Sacred Space – Beginning in the land of summer and formed from global adventure, The Sacred Space is reborn with its newest visionary, Amy Cooper.

Village Beat – Village Fourth parade is in the works and there’s still time to join, mark your calendars for this Lotusland fundraiser, and a Park Ln homicide update

Montecito Miscellany – An ARISE auction, Fiesta Ranchera, UCSB’s Art & Lectures announces their upcoming season, and more miscellany

P.10

P.11

P.12

Photography: @virtourmedia VISIT 2957EastValleyRoad.com FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

P.18

P.20

P.22

Strong Towns – With concerns around the future of State Street, pedestrian and bike paths, and more, what are we to do? Founder of the local chapter of Strong Towns writes in on what’s being done.

Tide Guide

The Optimist Daily – Don’t worry, take a break and breathe, with these tips for reducing stress in the workplace

Our Town – Summerland Beach gets a clean-up and A Great Night of Great Whites with the CSULB Shark Lab

P.23

P.24

Dear Montecito – Tessa Veksler explains the Basic Needs Committee and their crucial work on the UCSB campus

The Giving List – Familiarize yourself with the Hillside family at their new monthly Getting to Know Hillside event

Brilliant Thoughts – The “last straw that broke the camel’s back” for Ashleigh is the phrase itself and here’s why Robert’s Big Questions – What are the odds that you know about Bayes’ theorem? Whether you do or don’t, here is a refresher on it.

Village Vibe – Meet Diane Warren Stewart and Monica Epstein in this week’s column featuring local faces and voices

This Week at MA – A chat with Sasha Cooke over her new role as co-director of the Lehrer Vocal Institute, plus this week’s happenings

P.26

On Entertainment – The PCPA Theaterfest in Solvang is on its way and Seared extends its stay

P.28

P.34

Reading Matters – Local author Jana Zimmer talks about her memoir Chocolates from Tangier based off of her art and family’s Holocaust experiences

Cava – It’s sparkling, sophisticated, and not Champagne, it’s Cava – the new old drink to grace dining tables and celebratory affairs

P.36

P.44

P.46

Far Flung Travel – Chuck’s travels take him to Rwanda and close to gorillas with one in a particularly playful mood

Calendar of Events – The Polo Club’s Fieldside has new owners and a music night to boot, Solstice is coming, MOXI’s Happy Hour, and more.

Classifieds – Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads, in which sellers offer everything from summer rentals to estate sales

P.47

Mini Meta Crossword Puzzles

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

The Sacred Space An Odyssey of Spirit and Character(s) Amy Cooper Brings Her Vision to the Indescribable Summerland Experience

by Jeff Wing

Handily sandwiched between this world and the next, we have the picturesque village of Summerland, California. This quaint California idyll derives its name from ‘The Summerland’ – a term Theosophists apply to the heavenly sphere that surrounds our yearning planet Earth. Summerland was indeed founded by Spiritualist H.L. Williams in 1883 as a colony for believers in a chatty hereafter – making Summerland yet another sun-drenched California surf town founded by séance enthusiasts. Sprinkled delicately across a couple square miles of oceanfront hillside, today Summerland looks downright sacred. Given its spiritual history, it shouldn’t surprise us that at the corner of Lillie and Greenwell in Summerland there exists a sanctuary called “The Sacred Space.”

Some 18 years ago, Jack and Rose Herschorn quit the restaurant business and hit the global road, heading out to parts theretofore unknown to them: Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Tibet, Bali, holy sites in the Middle East. The couple returned to the States with two 40’ ship containers full of large- and small-scale objets spirituels. These they eventually poured into and around a 19th century Summerland adobe they somewhat ostentatiously renamed The Sacred Space. The place – and the labyrinthine Balinese gardens the Herschorns lovingly designed around it – quickly became a popular, if not entirely describable, destination to parched souls and bedazzled shoppers. Then after nearly two more decades of travel and procurement, Jack and Rose felt it was page-turning time. Enter enlightened hurricane Amy Cooper.

“Being outside in those gardens,” Cooper says, “having a cup of tea and being treated as a welcome guest was always a heartwarming experience. I started coming here 16 or 17 years ago and brought my daughter and family and friends many times.” Cooper now owns The Sacred Space: an intentional, spirit-lifting oasis right in the middle of a town founded around spirit – or spirits, as the case may be. The Sacred Space is a beautifully appointed, many-chambered nautilus of discovery around whose every corner wonder awaits. This is not hyperbolic hoo-ha. “One of my inspirations,” Cooper says, “is a quote from John Muir. ‘Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.’”

The Sacred Space unerringly punches Muir’s ticket. An improbable profusion of gently lit rooms unfold as you walk through the place, evocatively showcasing sacred objects from around the world – along with crystals of all kinds, books, jewelry, and more – the air subtly charged with a calming suggestion of spice and flora from beyond the horizon. A demure little cash register crouches inconspicuously in the front room, but the place is a “shop” like the Taj Mahal is a roadside shrine. The Sacred Space’s holistic raison d’être is not ultimately transactional. Amy Cooper is after something else and has been for a while.

“I didn’t start Plum Goods to open a store,” she says, referring to her former State Street love affair. “I could have done that online. I created Plum Goods to offer an environment where people love to be, and where they could find gifts they loved to give.”

For a decade, Cooper’s Plum Goods – a charming, uncategorizable cornucopia of the

Amy Cooper and her Sacred Space (photo by Jessikah Fechner)

GLOBAL HARMONY / VIRTUOSOS AND VISIONARIES

INTERNATIONAL SERIES at the Granada Theatre

Season Sponsor: SAGE Publishing

MASTERSERIES at the Lobero Theatre

Season Sponsor: Esperia Foundation

Village Beat

Village Fourth Motorcade in the Works

by Kelly Mahan Herrick

AVI AVITAL, mandolin

HANZHI WANG, accordion

Monday, October 16, 2023, 7:30PM

Lobero Theatre

SIR STEPHEN HOUGH, piano

Thursday, November 16, 2023, 7:30PM

Lobero Theatre

LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 7:30PM

Granada Theatre

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 7:30PM

Granada Theatre

HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD, piano

Thursday, February 22, 2024, 7:30PM

Lobero Theatre

PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Friday, March 8, 2024, 7:30PM

Granada Theatre

SPHINX VIRTUOSI

Friday, March 15, 2024, 7:30PM

Lobero Theatre

ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS

Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 7:30PM

Granada Theatre

Season Subscriptions On Sale Now!

For more information, visit camasb.org

COMMUNITY ARTS MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF SANTA BARBARA

Don’t miss Montecito’s fourth annual Motorcade Parade on July 4! The festive event, which was borne out of the social distancing measures put in place by the pandemic, will be rolling through Montecito beginning at 11:30 am on Tuesday, July 4. “We are encouraging everyone to come out and support the community and show their patriotism!” said organizer (and this year’s Grand Marshal!), Mindy Denson

The parade, which starts at Montecito Union School, will roll down San Ysidro Road to North Jameson to Coast Village Road, Hot Springs, and East Valley, and will include 25 vintage and modern vehicles driven by community leaders and representatives from local organizations.

Denson is organizing the event, along with a dedicated committee that includes Conner Rehage, Inken Gerlach, Mike Edwards, Dana Hansen, Sharon Byrne, Nina Terzian, Jacqueline Duran, Andrea and Dana Newquist, Patty Rich Zuckerman, Trish Davis, Jean von Wittenburg, Montecito Fire Chief David Neels, California Highway Patrol’s Mike Logie, and Santa Barbara Sheriff Lieutenant Butch Arnoldi. The committee chose to honor Denson with the title of Grand Marshal, after she has helped organize Village Fourth festivities for the last 19 years. Denson is highly involved in numerous organizations including the Montecito Association Board of Directors, the Lobero Theatre Foundation and Associates Boards, SB Firefighters Alliance Board, SB Wildlife Care Network Board, Santa Barbara Zoofari Ball Committee, Santa Barbara Heroes of Hospice Committee, and others. She has also been heavily involved in the MA events and Beautification Committee for many years. She also is an avid tennis player, a familiar face at Polo, and works at Legacy on Coast Village Road. “I am so honored to be chosen as Grand Marshal,” she said. “I love helping to make this a special event for the kids!” Denson hinted that next year, the committee would love to bring back the traditional parade and BBQ/ concert in Lower Manning Park. “We feel it’s the right thing to do,” she said.

To enter a vehicle in the parade, to help sponsor, or for more information, visit www.montecitoassociation.org.

Lotusland Fundraiser

Save the Date for Saturday, July 22, when Lotusland hosts “Where the Wild Things Grow,” a fundraiser to support Lotusland’s diverse ecosystems and habitats. Beginning at 3:30 pm, attendees will roam the gardens sipping herb-infused cocktails before perusing an impressive array of auction items on the Great Lawn before dining al fresco with catering by Duo and wines by Antica Terra. There will be an opportunity to bid to win an assortment of experiences and treasures during a lively auction. The event will end at 8:30 pm.

One of the auction items is a Silverhorn lotus blossom pendant, which was inspired by the Lotusland Gardens and the jewelry collection of Madame Ganna Walska. Each part of this one-of-a-kind pendant was hand fabricated by a Silverhorn master craftsman in 18-karat white gold. The body of the bloom is fashioned from a rare 10 ct. Tourmaline and the petals were individually handmade, engraved,

Village Beat Page 274

Isata Kanneh-Mason Joshua Bell Avi Avital Zubin Mehta

Mindy Denson, longtime organizer of the Village Fourth festivities, is honored as this year’s Grand Marshal

A lotus blossom pendant designed by Silverhorn and inspired by the Lotusland Gardens and the jewelry collection of Madame Ganna Walska is up for auction at an upcoming Lotusland event

Montecito Miscellany

Bidding on ARISE

by Richard Mineards

The Montecito Journal is now by royal appointment, I can exclusively reveal.

This illustrious organ is now being read by none other than King Charles III –super singer Katy Perry’s mother, Mary Hudson, informs me.

When the former Dos Pueblos High student sang at His Majesty’s coronation concert at Windsor Castle last month with fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie the day after the globally televised enthronement at London’s Westminster Abbey, Katy and mom stayed at the 1,000-year-old castle for two nights.

Miscellany Page 324

Surrounding Keith and Mary Hudson are Becky and Jude Fouquier, David and Kami Hudson, Henry and Erin Walker, and Phil and Dana Liberatore (photo by Priscilla)

ARISE! bidders Sam Oshay, Teresa Kuskey Nowak, Rick Oshay, Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, and Henry Walker (photo by Priscilla)

From ARISE! International are Adriana Carrillo, Cassie Welch, and Mary Hudson, with Crystal Iverson wearing Katy Perry’s personal robe that she bid on (photo by Priscilla)

Strong Towns An Intro to STSB

by Sully Israel

If you’ve read anything about the State Street Advisory Committee meeting on May 24, it was probably about how tense the meeting was, how many committee members disagreed, and how public comment was a bit heated. Nick Welsh of the Independent called it a “bumpy start.” Councilman Oscar Gutierrez was a bit less delicate, stating the committee members’ comments made him “confused and disturbed.”

I tend to agree with both Welsh and Gutierrez. Certain committee members displayed a complete lack of understanding of fundamental urban planning concepts, while others expressed vitriol for bikes while clearly failing to comprehend the economic, public health, and climate utility of cyclists in an urban setting. One member, who I won’t name here, even added up the width of the street in MIG Design Group’s renderings incorrectly.

However, what’s been lost beneath all the reporting on the raucous nature of the meeting are the many positive comments that were made. As leader of a new local nonprofit, Strong Towns Santa Barbara (STSB), I’m proud of the STSB members who took the time to show up to make comments in person, fill out our public comment form online, and write their own letters of support for keeping the promenade closed to cars. We had over 30 people sign our main letter to the State Street Advisory Committee. At the May 22 meeting, members Joanna and Kira gave public comment in-person, and Jason spoke over Zoom. At the May 24 meeting, members Luca and

Tristen voiced their support for keeping cyclists on State St. and including enhancements to public transit in the Master Plan. Luca, who is 17, said it was his very first city meeting and public comment.

I contacted Strong Towns, a national urban-planning advocacy group, only a few months ago to ask if I could open up a local chapter in my hometown, what they call a Local Conversation. After they gave me the go ahead, I wasn’t sure where to start; I’ve never run anything before, let alone a nonprofit. At first, I simply talked over coffee to a small handful of people from whom I began to receive a slow trickle of emails via the Strong Towns website. I also reached out to and assisted with advocacy work through other local groups with similar values (e.g. MOVE Santa Barbara County) and started to meet additional people who expressed interest in joining STSB. Finally, in April, I decided to call a first General Meeting, generously hosted on State Street at my friend Dylan ’s brewery, Wylde Works. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I came away smiling. Eighteen locals, all from different backgrounds and professions, came together to discuss planning topics like zoning reform, bicycle infrastructure, parking minimums, transit improvements, and building more affordable housing. And the best part: none of these people are planners professionally (well, except one).

Two months later, we’re not just sending in public comments. We have an active Discord server where members chat about, and brainstorm solutions to, local issues every day. We’ve formed a Parking Minimums Subcommittee and with the help of

Thomas Carpenito at the Parking Reform Network, are currently carrying out a study to analyze parking reductions achieved by the Average Unit-size Density (AUD) program in Santa Barbara (results coming soon). Another of our members, Kira, a PhD student at UCSB, is designing our chapter’s website, where visitors will be able to see our stances on local issues, browse our resources and efforts to date, and also submit public comments on various initiatives.

On the national Strong Towns website (www.strongtowns.org), the organization describes itself as “advocat[ing] for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting … work[ing] to elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.” What makes STSB’s collection of software engineers, college and high school students, planners, writers, musicians, mechanical engineers, and retirees special is that we aim to carry out Strong Towns’ vision the Santa Barbara way. That means advocating to end parking minimums to lower the cost of developing housing since housing availability in Santa Barbara is critically low. It means advocating for more bike and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the city to both lower our collective carbon emissions in support of Santa Barbara’s 2030 Climate Action Plan (www.countyofsb.org/1217/2030-Climate-Action-Plan), and to promote safe car-alternative transport in accordance with Santa Barbara’s Vision Zero commitment (https://visionzero. santabarbaraca.gov). It means meeting with local leaders and professionals at city council, SB MTD, and public works to understand local issues specific to Santa Barbara and share knowledge with the community. It also means ensuring that State Street is re-imagined the best that it can be, including space for people walking,

MONTECITO TIDE GUIDE

cycling, and taking transit.

I’m sure that over the coming months STSB will continue to grow as new members join. In the meantime, we’re conducting an observational study to see just how many cyclists bike down State Street every day, who they are, and why they’re there. Contact me (sullivanisrael1@gmail.com) if you’re interested in helping out. And in my piece next week, I’ll explain why STSB supports MIG Design Group’s “Flat and Flexible” design for State Street. Until next time, Sully Israel

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

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

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

Managing Editor | Zach Rosen zach@montecitojournal.net

Art/Production Director | Trent Watanabe

Graphic Design/Layout | Stevie Acuña

Administration | Jessikah Fechner

Administrative Assistant | Valerie Alva

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

Contributing Editor | Kelly Mahan Herrick

Copy Editor | Lily Buckley Harbin, Jeff Wing

Proofreading | Helen Buckley

Arts and Entertainment | Steven Libowitz

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

Gossip | Richard Mineards

History | Hattie Beresford

Humor | Ernie Witham

Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook Food & Wine | Claudia Schou, Melissa Petitto, Gabe Saglie

Published by: Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC

Montecito Journal is compiled, compounded, calibrated, cogitated over, and coughed up every Wednesday by an exacting agglomeration of excitable (and often exemplary) expert edifiers at 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108.

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

Mastering the Art of Taking Breaks: Striving for a Stress and Anxiety-Free Workday

“Work-related stress arises when the demands of work exceed the employee’s ability to cope and perform,” explains Jay Shetty, chief purpose officer of Calm, a wellness app, and author of Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day. But don’t worry! We may outwit stress and reach our maximum potential by identifying the indications and changing our behaviors.

Taking a break may seem like a simple thing to do, yet it is a skill that many people lack.

Now is the time to break down the hurdles that are impeding our break-taking routines. Shetty cites recent Calm Business research in which only one out of every three participants admitted to taking breaks. Why are breaks so uncommon? The main culprits are being overworked, feelings of guilt, and concerns about output. However, those who prioritize their mental health experience less stress and higher productivity. So, even though taking a moment for yourself may initially seem counterproductive, it will actually help boost your performance in the long run.

The Three W’s

Shetty reveals his secret formula, known as the “Three W’s.” Let’s take a look at each one and see how these small breaks might improve our workdays.

Walk

A walk, whether outside in the sun or within the confines of your workplace, can do wonders for your stress levels. Shetty recommends going for a walk to clear your mind and refuel.

Water

Never underestimate the force of water! Staying hydrated with at least five cups of water every day can help to alleviate anxiety. So, keep a glass or a dependable eco-friendly water bottle available to fulfill your hunger for peace.

Window

It may appear strange, but staring out the window is a stress-relieving secret weapon. Shetty suggests going outside and staring out the window, away from screens. This relieves eye strain and provides a little relaxation. Bonus points if you can open the window and breathe in some fresh air.

Mindful Renewal and Increased Productivity

Let us dispel the idea that breaks only distract us. Shetty reminds us that even a brief moment of mindfulness can have a significant impact on our mental health. Breaks, by alleviating stress and anxiety, serve as catalysts for enhanced productivity and well-being. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

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

-Santa Barbara Resident

Our Town

Summerland Beach Clean-Up

by Joanne A Calitri

At 8 am on Saturday, June 17, the sun came out with blue skies after six months of gray, cloudy, and rainy weather. I couldn’t help but wonder if the Sun God Re and Mother Nature were sending their blessings to the Summerland Beautiful organization and the Summerland Citizens Association (SCA) Beach Committee, who planned to clean up Summerland beach. Was nature saying profoundly that when we take deliberate acts to clean up our trash on this gracious blue planet, it will be there shining its energy on us and removing the gloomy gray?

“Yes!” we all exclaimed as 25 volunteers gathered at the Summerland Post Office parking lot to get their gloves and trash bags provided for free by Heal the Ocean, and instructions on collecting the found beach trash.

The clean-up was headed by Summerland Beautiful President D’Arcy Cornwall, and her team of Elizabeth Winterhalter (Treasurer), Penny Mathison (Secretary), and Leslie Person Ryan (Past President). They coordinated with Katie Graham, Chair of the SCA Beach Committee and Heal the Ocean, and hope this will be the start of a regular clean-up plan. This clean-up was prompted by the winter storms and oil seepage further contaminating the trash left behind by the storms and people.

If you have not yet been to Summerland Beach, know this task is Herculean – the beach is a few tenths of a mile downhill from the post office – first navigate under the 101 freeway to Lookout Park, and then walk down the cliffside hill path to the beach. Volunteers combed the area and brought the trash-filled bags back to the pickup truck at the post office. Some trash was too large to even get lifted, like the huge black tarp found buried in the sand with piles of rocks on top of it. The

The volunteers from Summerland who turned out to clean up their beach (photo courtesy of Summerland Beautiful)

Volunteer Megan Tingstrom, owner of the Red Kettle on Lillie Avenue, handing off her collected trash to D’Arcy Cornwall (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Summerland Beautiful team: D’Arcy Cornwall, Leslie Person Ryan, Elizabeth Winterhalter, and Penny Mathison (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

tarp was cut to remove some of it, with the rest to be dug out by the Parks team. There were also large pieces of rusted iron from construction work and the ever-abandoned lobster traps, one with the tag on it for identification.

Graham’s beach surveys led her to suggest areas of attention: Wallace Avenue from the junction of Evans toward the freeway on the Finney side of the street; the Sanitary District area of beach parking; Via Real from Summerland School to Padaro Beach; Padaro Beach to Lambert Road in Summerland; the pipe at the Loon Point sea wall; the Loon Point creek trail; and the most notable beach erosion that is now flush along the paved walkway from the park to the beach.

Regarding these high-risk areas, the clean-up today and the oil seepage issues, SCA Board President Phyllis Noble added, “The clean-up was prompted by the aftermath of the January storms. The SCA and Summerland Beautiful wanted to clean up the oil-soaked debris as quickly as possible. County Parks echoed these concerns, also asking that the oil-soaked debris be properly disposed of. The SCA submitted an ‘ocean hazard’ photo survey to the State Lands Commission (SLC) early this year requesting their engineers survey these hazards the January storms exposed. For the first time ever, SLC sent Padre Associates to pinpoint on GPS where the hazards are located so a removal plan can be organized. Oil will always be a naturally occurring beach-side visitor in the Santa Barbara Channel. As for capping another oil well, there are a couple planned after July when the new fiscal year begins.”

By 11:15 am the clean-up was a wrap, and Cornwall shared, “We are so grateful for the Summerland community response to the clean-up. The turn-out was above our expectations. Over 30 bags of trash were collected around the Summerland streets and at

the beach. Floor matting, plastic bumpers, lobster traps, netting, construction tarp and trash including bottles, paper, cardboard, and cigarette butts. Summerland Beautiful plans to hold another clean-up in six months. Thank you to all who participated!”

411: www.summerlandbeautiful.org

www.summerlandnow.org

www.healtheocean.org

CSULB Shark Lab Fundraiser

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum hosted a fundraiser for the California State University at Long Beach (CSULB) Shark Lab titled, A Great Night of Great Whites, on Saturday, June 17. The twenty-dollar donation yielded a sold-out house of ocean enthusiasts from university researchers, students, surfers, photographers, museum members, and town luminaries like Hiroko Benko and animal advocate Ann Smith

Proceeds from the event will benefit continued research of great white sharks along the California coast and assist in funding the repair and replacement of scientific equipment damaged and lost during the January ‘23 storms. Prior to the event program, I talked briefly with Shark Lab Director and marine biology professor Dr. Chris Lowe. I asked about the loss of gear and its impact on the lab. He replied, “Yes, it is serious. The first two weeks of January storms took out all of our research gear, which we have in the Pacific Ocean along the coast from Monterey to San Diego, specifically our transmitters, receivers, and specialized buoys. While used for research, this gear also helps the lifeguards who protect the beachgoers and report to the local governances with shark sightings and beach closures, so research and public safety are at issue. We hope to raise $100,000 to replace and repair the gear as soon as possible.”

The lab’s display of gear at the event included an Oceanserver Iver 3 with Xylem/ YSI sonde suite and InnovaSea digital acoustic receiver integrated, VR2TX Acoustic Receivers, acoustic fish tags, shark teeth and fins, an array of unmanned aerial vehicles with fully equipped audio/visual cameras and transmitters, and a wide professional Our Town Page 304

Works of Charley and Edie Harper

NOW OPEN

The bright, bold, geometric imagery of Charley Harper is made for nature-lovers! This art exhibit features the striking wildlife and playful sensibility of Charley and his wife and artistic partner, Edie.

Montecito

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

— Mahatma Gandhi

SCA member Jim McClintock removed rusted iron and lobster traps from the beach, here with Katie Graham (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Donate to the Shark Lab through this QR code (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Organized by Springfield Museum of Art and Fowler Artistic LLC

2559 Puesta del Sol Santa Barbara, CA 93105 805-682 -4711 . sbnature .org

William Gough Phone: 805-455-3030 Email: brosgough2@aol.com DRE #01047947

another fine property repr esented by d

1138 HILL ROAD • MONTECITO

Stunning 4 Bed/4 Bath Spanish estate located in the coveted Butterfly Beach neighborhood of Montecito. Gated and private, this extensively renovated beach home enjoys a refreshing ocean breeze and the relaxing sound of the surf. The spacious kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances, central island with breakfast bar seating, and ample cabinet and counter space for all your cooking needs. Relax in the open family room or entertain guests in the comfortable living room – both with a fireplace and a wonderful indoor/outdoor flow. Cozy up for the evening in your luxurious primary bedroom, which includes a large walk-in closet, ensuite bath with a stand-alone soaking bathtub and a private veranda. With 3 additional bedrooms, there is always space for family and friends. Situated on 0.4 manicured acres, this charming home is convenient to all the fine dining and shopping that Montecito has to offer. MUS. NOW

Huff, Architect

Dear Montecito Supporting

Students’ Basic Needs at UCSB

by Stella Haffner

Ihave a real interest in how UCSB organizations support student life. When I scheduled a meeting with the Basic Needs Committee chair Tessa Veksler, I expected to hear about all my pet favorites – food bank initiatives, menstrual health events, etc. But as the academic term comes to a close, Tessa reflected more broadly on the responsibility of organizations like the Basic Needs Committee. With her upcoming Associated Students presidency, she had a lot to say about the role of student government on campus and what it means to represent student interests financially.

Q. What does the Basic Needs Committee do?

A. We advocate for things like food insecurity and housing insecurity, and we work with other basic needs-related organizations on campus – such as the Food Bank – in order to make sure we are providing for students’ basic needs on campus. I recently learned that 43 percent of students within the UC system are food insecure, 25 percent of which are extremely food insecure. No college student should have to worry about what meal they’re going to eat next. Our committee may not have a ton of funding but because we’re positioned within Associated Students, we have the unique ability to advocate for these things on a higher level to administration.

Q. What are your main goals?

A. Increasing accessibility and knowledge of basic needs resources available on campus, and ensuring that our student fees are actually getting back to the students. For example, in the last couple months we have put on finals-essential booths that provided testing materials for students. Right now, a lot of UCSB courses require you to purchase your own bluebooks and scantrons in order to take your exams. We believe that having these supplies is a fundamental basic need, so we attempt to provide these for as many students as we can.

Q. How do you decide what the student body’s basic needs are?

A. I have been very fortunate to work with an incredible committee of students that are not only very dedicated but also a part of a variety of different spaces that allow them to understand what students need. We also conduct basic needs surveys and work closely with the basic needs team at the university level as well as speaking with organizations like the food bank to figure out how to better serve our students.

Q. It sounds like a big part of your role is coordinating between different organizations.

Angie

UCSB’s Basic Needs Committee

JAMES DARRAH

Teaching Artist Director of CABARET 1979

Classically-trained musicians, from new talents to legendary icons, converge at the Music Academy to bring you a summer filled with strings, horns, and operatic arias. Over 120 performances, including symphonies led by world famous conductors, a 1979-set CABARET, and a very modern take on LA BOHÈME.

Get your tickets today at musicacademy.org

MUSIC ACADEMY SUMMER FESTIVAL 2023

JUN 12 - AUG 5

The Giving List Getting to Know Hillside

by Steven Libowitz

Big plans are in store for Hillside, the residential facility for 59 people with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy. Hillside’s Community Project will transform its model of care by creating a new, integrated, mixed-abilities neighborhood on its 24-acre property in Hidden Valley featuring homes, townhomes, and apartments for seniors and the general public alongside residents’ new state-of-the-art adaptive homes. The future for the facility, which will be the first of its kind in the Santa Barbara area, is partly why the nonprofit shortened its name from Hillside House.

When the project is complete, the organization will provide greater community engagement and integration as well as increased independence for the residents, meeting its mission as well as government mandates for inclusion and the highest level of equality for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

But Hillside isn’t waiting for final approvals and construction equipment arriving to get going on its goals, which include vastly raising awareness about the 70-year-old nonprofit and why the organization matters to all of us.

A big part of that is its new Getting to Know Hillside monthly open house events. Held on the third Wednesday of each month at 12 noon, the hour-long events, hosted by one of the nonprofit’s board members, include lunch prepared by Hillside’s executive chef, who daily creates meals to meet the dietary needs of the residents. There’s a short video about Hillside followed by a personal tour of the facilities including the living arrangements and program activities. Visitors then have the chance to meet some of the residents, and walk around the property as staff members describe Hillside’s future plans, including a Q&A session.

“It’s so important to broaden the concentric circles of community members who are aware of Hillside and know of the issues impacting our community members who are living with intellectual developmental disabilities,” explained President and CEO Michael Rassler.

All are welcome: individuals, families, community organizations, businesses, Rassler said. And if the Wednesday dates don’t work, Hillside is happy to make other arrangements.

“Other nonprofits, service organizations, people who are new to town or those who have been here for years but don’t know much about us – we are able to arrange a time that works for them. We want everyone to get to know Hillside. All we ask is that you call and sign up in advance so that we can be prepared with information packets as well as the food.”

But be forewarned: the experience will not only make a big difference in understanding what Hillside is and does, it will likely leave you at least a little bit altered.

“I don’t know of anybody that has visited Hillside and not come away moved and changed in some way,” Rassler said. “People are truly touched deeply by what they see and what they come to understand in terms of the love and care that are provided for our residents, and the passion that the residents have in living their lives. They’re living fully, they’re living intentionally, and they’re living with purpose. That alone is incredibly inspiring.”

Rassler said he finds himself moved virtually every day by his experiences on site.

“Whether it’s resident to resident, or the staff working with the residents, or our leadership trying to solve some unique issue or problem, it’s just amazing. And you really need to be here to even begin to understand not only what a beautiful place Hillside is, but what beautiful people our residents are.”

That’s not just hyperbole. A huge percentage of the staff join residents in their longevity at the facility, with many of the staff’s tenure counted in decades, Rassler said.

“Our head of dietary has been here 34 years, our director of operation for 36, and the director of facilities for 17 years. Staff who come to Hillside find a home, so it’s not unusual to have generations all working here as certified nursing assistants as licensed vocational nurses or volunteers. It’s very rewarding to know you’re making a difference.”

In addition to inviting the public into Hillside’s haven, the organization also brings residents downtown as much as possible, meeting the mandates and the personal treatment plan’s elements of integration, communication, social engagement, all of those things that can only happen when they’re out in the community.

“It’s desperately important to them and to their family members in terms of their quality of life to be able to participate in civil society and engage in what we typically take for granted, by going to the library, the museum, a restaurant, or the beach,” Rassler said. “Raising awareness and exposure of our residents with intellectual developmental disabilities to the broader community raises the bar for everybody in creating a kinder, gentler, and more enveloping community where everybody is treated equally. As we begin to break down those barriers and help people become more comfortable and more accepting, I think we are helping our community in a very, very significant way.”

Hillside Michael Rassler, President & CEO

Sweeney, Chief Development Officer

— Alfred Mercier

Fun summer fare!” Maggie yates, Santa Barbara Independent

Ronald Auguste, Andrew Elvis Miller, Gary Patent and Angela Sauer Photo: Zach Mendez

Hillside’s Community Project will transform its model of care by creating a new, integrated, mixed-abilities neighborhood on its 24-acre property in Hidden Valley (Courtesy photo)

Come meet the neighbors at the Getting to Know Hillside monthly open house events, held on the third Wednesday of each month at noon (Courtesy photo)

2023-2024 Series Subscriptions on Sale Now!

Dance series

- Save 20% -

Martha Graham Dance Company

Wed, Oct 4 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre

Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends

Wed, Oct 25 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre

Limón Dance Company

Sat, Jan 27 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre

Batsheva Dance Company

MOMO

Tue, Mar 5 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre

Alonzo King LINES Ballet

Deep River

Fri, Apr 26 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre

“King is one of the few bona fide visionaries in the ballet world today.”

San Francisco Chronicle

“There’s no other company that dances quite like this.” Haaretz (Israel)

“We are never more truly and profoundly human than when we dance.”

Save up to 25% with a Curated series, or Create Your Own series of 4 or more events and save 10% (Single tickets on sale August 4 at 10 AM)

– José Limón

“One of the seven wonders of the artistic universe.” The Washington Post

Alonzo King LINES Ballet

Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends

Limón Dance Company

Batsheva Dance Company

Martha Graham Dance Company

“The most magical dancer of our time.” Vanity Fair

“5 stars for the pyrotechnic Tiler Peck & Friends.” Financial Times

Brilliant Thoughts The Last Straw

by Ashleigh Brilliant

We have all been informed that it was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. But that image troubles me. As a proverb and metaphor, of course, it is very powerful. Another one, “The Tipping Point,” conveys almost the same idea, but less negatively. The image now is of a balance, by which everything used to be weighed –a known weight on one side, as against something to be weighed on the other. The point at which the unknown is shown to be heavier than the known is the Tipping Point – so that’s where you add the “straw.”

But what about the poor camel, with its back at risk? How did this image get into the popular imagination? No doubt, ever since these animals were first used as beasts of burden, there have been cases of overloading, and it would not be hard for somebody with a poetic gift to think that there must have been a tipping point at which the load was unbearably heavy, and the ill-used creature would just collapse. That poet’s mind gave us the Last Straw.

But why would a camel be loaded with a bunch of straws anyway? To many people today, the word “straw” conveys only the idea of a drinking straw, a hollow tube, usually made of paper or plastic, which used to be provided free with most cold drinks, and considered disposable after a single use. Just in the last few years have ecologically minded administrations and establishments, in a move which to some has seemed un-American, required that these sucking-devices be furnished to customers only when they’re specifically asked for.

Before modern manufacturers found a new way to profit, drinking-straws were cut from the hollow stalks of reeds. And the Old Testament tells us that more ordinary straw was essential in the making of bricks – as it has been an ingredient of adobe right up to our own time.

But getting back to the poor old camel and its back, there are of course veterinary doctors who specialize in treating camels, and no doubt, within that field, there are orthopedic specialists, and (although I haven’t looked into this) there must be numerous camel spinal problems and injuries which might be described as symptoms of a broken back. People may be confused or misled by the fact that camels already have on their backs a large hump, or sometimes two humps, in which they store their food (not their water, which is conserved by their bodies in other ways). But of course, that hump, or those

humps, cannot be considered any part of the added-on burden whereby our final straw makes such a difference.

And now I suppose you are going to say that I’m making too much out of the camel’s back, just as I did out of the straw which supposedly broke it. But I am not the first to conjure up associations. People tend to connect mountain peaks with this creature, and thus we have Camelback Mountain, a very prominent feature of the metropolitan area of Phoenix, Arizona. There is also a so-called Camelback Mountain – a geological feature, but not really a mountain – in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, which has a ski resort named after it.

But, while considering humps, we now have a whole day of the week – Wednesday – being referred to as “Hump Day,” presumably because it comes in the middle of the working week, and is thus a kind of hurdle to get over. And then, there are the somewhat tragic human variety, as embodied in the immortal Hunchback of Notre Dame, a creation of Victor Hugo, unforgettably played in a 1939 movie by Charles Laughton, and in a later version, by Anthony Quinn.

Forgive me for letting that bring to mind the story of a naïve young lady attending a Notre Dame football game whose escort was explaining the team positions of fullback, quarterback etc., who then asked, in all innocence, “Which one is the hunchback?”

All of this brings us a long way from that fabled “last straw.” But of course, speculation about broken backs is not confined to camels. In fact, I remember a sidewalk game from my childhood in which the mantra was:

Step on a crack –break your father’s back. Step on a line –break your mother’s spine.

Why do children even play with such awful ideas? I suppose it’s not “out of line” in a culture in which babies in cradles fall from treetops.

Robert’s Big Questions

What Are the Odds? Can Bayes Help?

by Robert Bernstein

We hairless apes are notoriously bad at estimating probabilities. I plan to write more about other such “cognitive biases.”

For example, if you see several coin tosses coming up heads, do you think that the odds go up for the next toss to be tails? Assuming a fair coin, the odds for each toss are in fact independent and equal.

In the 1700s, English statistician, philosopher, and Presbyterian minister Thomas Bayes developed a theory of probability that was quite revolutionary. He never published it, but it was discovered and published after his death by Richard Price.

Pierre-Simon Laplace was a French mathematician and physicist who believed in a clockwork universe, where the entire future was determined by present conditions. I plan to write more about these ideas. Yet he became the biggest promoter of the Bayes probability theory. Laplace was aware that actual human measurements would never be perfect, so predictions about the future would always be probabilistic. And Bayes offered the best theory.

One practical application of Bayes’ theory is in testing for disease. Most people know that any medical test has a chance of false negatives, where the test misses a disease. And every such test has false positives, where you don’t have the disease, but the test says you do.

Most women get mammograms to test for breast cancer. About 10% of these tests give a false positive. This can be terrifying. But it is important to consider something called the base rate. For women aged 40-50, the base rate is just 1 in 69 of having breast cancer in a given year. For younger women, the base rate is much lower. This is why most countries suggest young women not get mammograms. Because the risk of harm from a false positive is bigger than the risk of breast cancer.

about things that have low base rates. In the case of breast cancer, the base rate goes up significantly with age. Which is why older women should get mammograms.

A similar situation holds with using turn signals. People decide right-of-way based on whether the other driver is signaling or not. But if the base rate of using a turn signal is too low, it becomes almost useless. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) studied this problem and concluded that two million accidents occur each year in the U.S. because of this base rate failure to use turn signals. About twice the number caused by distracted driving or by drunk driving.

Bayes’ probability theory is also used in spam filters for email. Even more important, it is used for attribution of climate crisis disasters. Properly applied, Bayes can tease out how much a destructive weather event can be attributed to the climate crisis.

You might think that Bayes locks us into missing important dangers if the base rate is low. For example, before 9/11 the base rate for terror attacks with airplanes was near zero. But Bayes tells us to update the base rate upon learning new information. After the first plane hit the World Trade Center tower, we might rapidly increase the odds of it being a terrorist attack to one in three. And the second hit might increase the odds to nearly 100%.

I have learned not to put too much math in my articles. But there are plenty of good articles explaining Bayes’ probability theory if you want to know more. I highly recommend the book The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – but Some Don’t by legendary forecaster Nate Silver . He includes an excellent section on Bayes.

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

Bayes’ theorem works backwards from our intuitions and factors in the base rate. We are used to working forward from causes to effects. But the genius of Bayes is that it works backwards from effects to causes. When we see a potential cause or signal like a positive test, we jump to the conclusion that the bad effect will follow. But we need to remember that the bad effect may be very rare. That is the base rate.

A very low base rate can cancel out the effects of false positives. People spend way too much time worrying

Bayes also radically changed how we view reality. He showed us that probability is not just a property of “reality.” It is also a property of what we know. The difference between ontology and epistemology – and that leads to some very Big Questions!

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

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu

Village Vibe

Diane Warren Stewart

by Rachael Quisel

Meet Diane Warren Stewart , the owner of Stewart Fine Art, located in the Upper Village of Montecito. With her exceptional collection of fine art, she has cultivated a devoted following.

“I think I offer a unique collection of fine art. I’ve been in the business for over forty years and so I have people that followed me here, but I’ve made a lot of new friends and clients since moving to the Upper Village. It’s a very supportive small room group of people that live here that really appreciate art and books and culture in general, so it’s been a really good fit for all of us.

“I hope [Montecito] is my final resting place. This is my last stop; I don’t want to ever go anywhere else. This is sort of the place I’ve looked for all my life, so this is my destination.”

Monica Epstein

Introducing Monica Epstein , a Montecito resident for 15 years, who has discovered a magnetic allure that keeps UCSB alumni like her under its spell. She has created a dynamic hub at her home – a place where friends gather, adventures begin, and unforgettable moments unfold.

“My husband went to UCSB, and it seems like everyone who went to school there is put under some kind of spell with a wish to return at some point or figure out how to never leave. We’re so lucky to be able to call Montecito home. The rhythm of life here suits our family. My husband and my kids all surf and skate so I’ve been embedded in those worlds. As we’ve all gotten older, this has evolved into photography and the more artistic side of Montecito. My house has always been the center of a lot of activity – the place to stop by before or after a surf, the scene for many al fresco dinners that take us late into the night with friends. Sometimes, it feels like everyone in Montecito has sat around my table and knows their way around my kitchen.”

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

This Week at MA What’s Cooke-ing at the Academy

by Steven Libowitz

Two-time Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke didn’t hold back in describing her single summer as a vocal fellow at the Music Academy back in 2002.

“It changed my life,” she said last week. “Part of it had to do with Marilyn Horne and the incredible faculty, including John Churchwell, but a big part was also that I was only 19 when the average age of the vocal fellows was 26. I was surrounded by incredibly inspiring singing and also saw how they had such disciplined practice. It blew my mind… I left a very different person.”

Confirmation of her experience came from her father after the summer, at a time when her parents were still helping the teenage Cooke with her credit card bills. “He told me, that was when you stopped shopping and started practicing all the time.”

Twenty-two years later, Cooke has come full circle with her Academy adventure as this summer is her first as co-director with Churchwell of the Lehrer Vocal Institute, a position that has her involved in creating the vocal programming, selecting the fellows, working with the faculty and guest artists, teaching master classes, performing, and more.

“There’s no way I could have imagined [doing this] back then, but it’s the right time in my career,” she said. “I love teaching and I had started to think about the alternative to traveling to 35 places a year, but I wasn’t at all wanting to give up singing. This was the perfect in between, because I can do a lot of the admin work wherever I am in the world, and then come to Santa Barbara to teach and perform in the summer. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

Cooke said she’s thrilled to be inheriting the reins from Horne, one of her heroes, tasked with taking the Academy to the next level.

“It’s a perfect place because there’s a certain kind of expansiveness and air and space to be creative here, both because of its intimate size, being removed from a city, and the beauty of the campus. You can find yourself and do new things.”

Cooke said that increasing the ability to curate and tailor the program to the participants’ specific interest and skills is paramount to her purpose, especially the vocal fellows, a vastly talented group who were among the only 2.5 percent of applicants selected.

“We asked each of them, what are you hoping to achieve this summer and how can we help you get there, empowering them to speak up. I don’t think anywhere else reaches out to the individual singers that way… But it’s important for young musicians these days to figure out what

they offer that no one else does, which influences their song repertoire and what a piece tells us about them, so they get clued into their own individual authentic story.”

Cooke and Churchwell are also implementing a few “experiments” this summer, including having the opera and dancing directors do intensives on techniques rather than being on hand for weeks, and Cooke’s own behind-thescenes conversation series each Friday covering such topics as mental health, taxes, diversity, equity, inclusion, balancing career and family, body shaming, auditions, management, and what to expect in a life as a performer in a nurturing and nourishing way – skills the singer has developed over the two decades since her summer as a fellow.

Cooke will also demonstrate her own vocal prowess and presence at Saturday’s season-opening Academy Festival Orchestra concert when she’ll perform Berlioz’s Les nuits d’ été (“Summer Nights”).

“It’s a good chunk of music, 30 minutes of these really gorgeous songs that are all about love in one way or another,” she said. “They’re very fun to perform and it will be a special, rewarding experience to sing with the festival’s orchestra fellows.”

Upcoming @ MA

Thursday, June 22: If you missed Mosher guest artist Anthony McGill’s “So a Clarinetist and a Comedian Walk into a Bar” show with Kimberly Clark on Tuesday night, you can still catch the 2020 Avery Fisher Prize-winning New York Philharmonic clarinetist – the first

African American principal player in the organization’s history – in a more serious setting. He’ll be coaching the four feverishly ambitious fellows in the only clarinet master class of the summer not taught by the titanically talented faculty member Richie Hawley. (3:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $10)

Friday, June 23: Una Noche en Miraflores, the Academy’s first-ever all Spanish-language vocal program, finds multi-Grammy-winning first generation Cuban-American opera star Ana María Martínez and celebrated pianist César Cañón presenting an immersion into Spanish song, culture, and dance performed by the vocal fellows plus guitarist Andres Vadin flamenco dancing sensation Manuel Gutierrez. (7:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $40)

Saturday, June 24: Binge on Berlioz at tonight’s opening concert by the fellows-powered Academy Festival Orchestra, appropriately conducted by Stéphane Denève, the Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra who has a special affinity for the music of his native France. Denève, who just wrapped up his first year as Artistic Director of the New World Symphony, the prestigious orchestral academy founded by Michael TilsonThomas, is the perfect choice to inaugurate the 2023 symphonic season, the Academy’s first since the death of longtime first-concert conductor Larry Rachleff last August. Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke (see interview above) stars in the opening Les nuits d’été (“Summer Nights”), Berlioz’s setting of six poems by Théophile Gautier, before the ensemble takes on the composer’s Symphonie fantastique – which Leonard Bernstein termed the first musical expedition into psychedelia, in any case it certainly explores the extremities of the emotional spectrum. (7:30 pm; Granada Theatre; $55)... Dive in with Denève at the optional nearby pre-concert Meet-theConductor event where he’ll share stories about the works and welcome questions while patrons sip wine or beer and enjoy light snacks. (6-7 pm; Sullivan Goss, 11 E. Anapamu St.; $25)

Tuesday, June 27: Just how spoiled are we to have Jeremy Denk – the pianist who just about a decade ago

had a year that saw him awarded a MacArthur (“Genius”) Fellowship, an Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America’s Instrumentalist of the Year before he served as Music Director of the Ojai Festival in 2014 – here at the Music Academy as a regular faculty artist? Fortunately, we haven’t yet started taking him for granted, given the immediate standing ovation that greeted Denk and fellow faculty pianist Conor Hanick at the conclusion of the pair’s peerless performance of Adams’ Hallelujah Junction at the tribute concert to Jorja Fleezanis last weekend. Tonight, the irrepressible Denk delivers his take on Bach’s Six Partitas back at a sold-out Hahn Hall, proving that, as the New York Times wrote, he is a pianist you want to hear no matter what he performs. (7:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $55)

Wednesday, June 28: The Summer’s first Chamber Nights “Up Close & Personal” event find a varied program performed by the fellows who have been carefully coaxed by a team of faculty artists in Lehmann Hall, the institute’s on-campus version of the elegant salons that hosted such evenings in days of yore. After a wine reception, the dozen instrumentalists plus a vocalist will play Tilson-Thomas’ “Street Song for Brass Quintet,” Mozart’s “Per questa bella mano” aria for bass-baritone, double bass, and piano, and Brahms’ “String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 111.” (7:30 pm; Lehmann Hall; $45)

Thursday, June 29: Today’s programming is fit to be Tai’d. As in Tai Murray, the visiting violinist who will conduct a master class (1:30 pm; Lehmann Hall; $10) before performing two pieces for the Academy’s second salvo in its X2 –“Apprentice meets Legend” – series that mashes up fellows and faculty on each work. Murray, who won an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2004 and was a member of Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society II in 2004-2006, joins colleagues for both Joan Tower’s “Petroushskates” and Debussy’s “Danses sacrée et profane, ” before the academy’s trombonist Mark H. Lawrence leads fellows in Enrique Crespo’s “Bruckner Etude for Low Brass,” and Denk and violist Richard O’Neill pair up with two fellows for Brahms’ “Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25.” (7:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $55)

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

This is the first summer with the immensely talented Sasha Cooke as co-director of the Lehrer Vocal Institute (Courtesy photo)

Anthony McGill will teach a clarinet master class this Thursday, June 22 (photo by Matthew Septimus)

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

On Entertainment Theaterfest is Back!

by Steven Libowitz

PCPA Theaterfest kicks off its 2023 summer season on June 22 at the Solvang Festival Theater with Emma in the West Coast premiere of Joseph Hanreddy ’s latest adaptation of a beloved Jane Austen novel. Opting to direct the playwright’s new piece was an easy choice for Polly Firestone Walker , a veteran PCPA resident artist (and returning board member of the theater), who portrayed Mrs. Bennet when PCPA staged Hanreddy’s Pride and Prejudice.

“His adaptations feel like a regency dance in themselves in how they capture the essence of Jane Austen in a beautiful way,” she said. “He’s able to move between large scenes where everybody’s all together and ones where it comes down to two people, and then new scene partners, and back to a large scene and the whole thing has a wonderful flow and movement that is like regency dance.”

The tale of romantic misadventures, misplaced confidence and matchmaking in the small town of Highbury has

inspired innumerable adaptations on stage and screen for decades, which Firestone Walker attributes to Austen’s “almost Shakespearean ability to capture human nature.”

“She has such keen insight into what makes us tick, the parts of everyday life that are universal and timeless. And the characters are so beautifully drawn, not caricatures but based in truth.”

Building a bridge to modern audiences is the challenge for current productions, the director said. “We’re highlighting that these are people who could be living today, not part of a dusty period piece with fancy language. The balls they went to are like going to the discos today. It’s how you met people, it’s how you hung out, how you dated, how you hooked up.”

One thing that won’t seem foreign in a staging in the Santa Ynez Valley is the feel of a small-town community. “I think we’ve captured that energy and joy,” Firestone Walker said.

When Emma closes on July 2, PCPA’s summer season in Solvang bolts from Britain in the early 1800s to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the mid-1900s for Bright Star, the Tony-nominated

musical co-created by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell . The focus here is on another woman’s personal growth, as the gentle-spirited musical employs bluegrass and Americana music and Southern sugar in following Alice both as a wild young thing growing up barefoot and carefree in backwoods North Carolina and 20 years later when she is a well-to-do magazine editor in Asheville. Bright Star runs July 7-23, with Keenon Hooks directing.

Two weeks later, the music makes a left turn in Solvang as an all-girl mariachi band in the 1970s when women weren’t supposed to be able to do that forms the basis for American Mariachi, José Cruz González ’s uplifting musical comedy about family and the freedom to go after your dreams. The charmer features an all-Latino cast directed by Robert Ramirez , with all of the music played live on stage, for the August 4-27 run.

Then it’s back to England four days later for Solvang’s only Shakespeareancentered show of the season with The Book of Will, which plays August 31-September 10, Lauren Gunderson’s witty and good-hearted comedy that imagines the rocky rush to publication of the First Folio, which rescued Shakespeare’s plays for posterity and ensured the Bard’s leg-

acy. Emily Trask directs the all-PCPA veteran cast. For more information and tickets, visit www.pcpa.org or call (805) 922-8313.

‘Seared’ Extends Savory Run

Emotions ran high on opening night for Seared – the kitchen comedy sans kitsch that closes out Ensemble Theatre’s current season as well as artistic director Jonathan Fox ’s career at the company. It came from both the smartly cast quartet of actors in the play about art-vs.-commerce and power struggles, but also the audience who f ê ted Fox with a pre-show standing ovation and then had varying takes on the ending of the tasty production. We’re not going to give anything away here, even though there are enough moments and themes to enjoy even with spoilers. Suffice it to say that Seared has soared to such crowd-pleasing heights that ETC has, for the first time this season, added a Saturday afternoon performance at 2 pm on June 24, the timing of which lets you get warmed up by the Solstice parade before heading indoors at the New Vic to sizzle some more. Details and tickets at (805) 965-5400 or www.etcsb.org.

PCPA kicks off its 2023 Theaterfest with Emma on June 22 (photo by Luis Escobar, Reflections Photography Studio)

and finished with a high polished edge. An explosion of pink sapphires float into diamonds to finish the bloom and it hangs from an 18” delicate chain, set with diamonds. At the center of the flower is a pearl symbolizing the 30-year anniversary of Lotusland opening to the public.

A masterpiece in jeweled artistry, this statement pendant was custom created in the Silverhorn Design Studio and has a retail value of $22,000.

For more information about Where the Wild Things Grow, visit www.lotusland.org.

Park Lane Homicide Update

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing their public outreach by sharing additional images related to the May 27, 2022 murder of Violet Evelyn Alberts with a focused request for information from Los Angeles area residents. Earlier this month, investigators released two images of a suspect vehicle along with a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Alberts’ murder.

Detectives have been following up on leads generated by the photos and request for information. Now, detectives are sharing new photos extracted from a closed-circuit video camera along with a second request that members of the public reach out with any information they may have about the suspects associated with the pictured 2015-2018 white Porsche Cayenne.

Detectives are specifically asking for assistance from Los Angeles area residents as they have discovered that the white Porsche traveled from Los Angeles to Montecito on the evening of the murder. Residents in the Los Angeles area that may have loaned or rented their 2015-2018 white Porsche Cayenne in May 2022 are encouraged to reach out to detectives. Detectives also encourage Montecito residents to continue to check for any surveillance footage from May 2022 for this vehicle.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office is still offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her murder. If you know the subject associated with this vehicle, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau at (805) 681-4150. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact the Sheriff’s Office anonymous tipline at (805) 681-4171 or email tips@sbsheriff.org.

Why do you think it’s useful to have such an interconnected committee?

A. I think a big problem within the system is that a lot of the time we don’t know what other organizations are doing, which is frustrating because that means we end up either planning the same types of events or miss opportunities to consolidate our funding. There’s a gap in communication and this is something that I’m actively working on as part of my incoming presidency – consolidation of resources. The Basic Needs Committee is an absolutely integral part of Associated Students, but we are not as effective as we could be because we are a bit disconnected from the student body. What I am trying to do is hire people into the committee that come from outside student government – they bring a very unique and valuable perspective about the things that they see on campus surrounding basic needs.

Q. Why do you say your perspective is separated from the student body?

A. There are a lot of issues within Associated Students, and our lack of accessibility and approachability is a big part of it. We take an approach where we tell students “our doors are always open, come talk to us,” but I feel we need to shift to a hybrid approach where we are also going to students and talking to them and putting ourselves out there in order to give them the opportunity to speak to us. I think people have developed a mistrust in Associated Students as a whole because we have made mistakes in the past with regard to how transparent we are. I think that initiatives like what the Basic Needs Committee has done this year has definitely brought the student body closer.

You asked earlier how we know when something is needed. The Basic Needs Committee started with one very small booth, and we only bought 100 of each thing. Within an hour it was all gone. We expanded to make it four times the size by collaborating with two different organizations. Last quarter the supplies were all gone again. I think this is a sign that we’re moving in the right direction.

Q. You said transparency is a big priority of yours. Why is it important to you that the student body trusts Associated Students?

A. We are using their fees. Associated Students is built off of fifteen million dollars of student fees. Transparency is what students deserve first of all, second of all we are all students ourselves – so what differentiates us? What makes us so special and unique that we get to direct how student money is spent? We’re trusted with the responsibility of spending this money in a way that positively affects our campus community. I think that it is very, very important – especially because we’re a student-funded organization – to make sure that students know that we are doing our best to provide for them, and that they feel that this is something they should be investing in.

Q. Can you tell me what you’re most proud of from the past year?

A. I think that I am really proud of the creativity and innovation and the unfaltering drive that my senate has had. I have never sensed there was a problem that we aren’t at least willing to try to find a solution for. The Basic Needs Committee is unlike a lot of other committees on campus because we are primarily built out of student government representatives whose focus is on legislation; which means we have the power of legislative action in order to write legislation to shift funding, or shift accessibility of basic needs on campus. I can only hope that as I enter this next year as president the association continues to flourish. I’m sure that it will because I’ve seen the incredible students that have been elected for the upcoming year, and they’re all very passionate. What’s at the forefront is their care for other students.

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

New photos of a 2015-2018 white Porsche Cayenne have been released in relation to a murder that occurred on Park Lane in May 2022

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

Reading Matters

Local Author Jana Zimmer Sheds Light on Her Four-Decade Journey

by Rachael Quisel

Jana Zimmer, an attorney and mixed media artist, has recently released Chocolates from Tangier: A Memoir of Art and Transformation by a Holocaust Replacement Child. In it, Zimmer knits together a narrative from her journals, poems, artwork, and the experiences of her parents — both Holocaust survivors. Her artwork, displayed throughout the memoir, engages in a dialogue with the text and serves as a powerful visual expression when words alone won’t suffice. Utilizing the collage technique, Zimmer combined multiple elements to create cohesive compositions that poignantly represent her and her family’s experiences. Her art has been exhibited in the Czech Republic (in Prague and the Terezin Ghetto, where her parents were imprisoned), and Freiberg, Germany, where her mother endured forced labor.

Q. You’ve described this book as a project forty years in the making. Can you tell us more about its origins?

A. From the time I was a child, what was done to my family in the Holocaust was a forbidden topic, and it has taken me until now, when I am old, to find a way to express what I need to say about it. The book encompasses the journey of how I eventually found my voice without causing my parents undue pain or imposing forbidden questions. So, it’s not a direct answer to your question, but the book came to be from various materials I had accumulated over time. I’ve been writing about all of this on and off for about 40 years, as you will see in the book, mostly in very private journals, and in poems, all but one never published. Some of the initial pieces were penned in the early ‘70s when I was in graduate school.

Q. Your artwork is found on about a third of the memoir’s pages. Can you tell me more about your artistic journey?

A. I didn’t start to make art until about 1995, 11 years after my father died, and when my mother came to live with us. Most of my art, and my process in the last 25 years, has to do with finding my own voice to express what I need to express as a Second Generation survivor, first for my parents and now for me. One of my collages features my mother’s face superimposed over an image of the factory where she was forced to labor.

Q. When did the actual process of compiling the book begin?

A. The idea to piece everything together came to me during the Covid pandemic, after I joined a womens’ memoir writing class. It was a peculiar time – when the concept of time itself seemed to shift. I realized that I didn’t need to rely on my memory alone. I was fortunate that my parents kept every family document they could save, buried some, and left some with neighbors when they were deported. The oldest such document is from 1829, the newer ones from the war. After my mother brought this treasure trove to Santa Barbara, I scanned all the documents and photos into my computer. I started putting together the disparate fragments during the lockdown. Then my stepdaughter suggested I reach out to a specific publisher. From the initial contact with DoppelHouse Press to acceptance and now publication, it’s been about two years.

Q. That’s quite a journey. By the way, did your writing group have a name?

A. (Laughs) Not officially, but we informally call ourselves “The Coven.” We’re all feminists of a certain age. And yes, I still continue to write with them.

Q. It’s great to have that supportive network. Now, your book touches on themes of compassion and connection. How do you think its publication can foster a sense of connection not only among individuals, but also among traumatized communities?

A. That is precisely my hope. Initially, when I set out to compile and publish the book, that wasn’t a conscious desire or intention. However, it has become my primary focus. Building alliances between traumatized communities, which historically have been pitted against each other, is a crucial aspect. I believe it’s time for people to come together and understand who is truly responsible for their suffering.

Q. It’s a powerful message. Have you noticed any early reactions to the book that reflect this desire for connection?

A. Two men – who have known me in various capacities for over 30 years – made almost identical comments. After reading the book, they both said, “I thought I knew you, but I didn’t know you.” One of them is a dear friend, while the other is someone I consider a political adversary. I was surprised by the compassion shown by my political adversary and how it changed my perception of him. He was moved to share a traumatic event from his family history with me.

Now, I’m asking myself, “How do we transcend what divides us from other traumatized communities?” Although I was not conscious of it when I began to write my book, this is the question I now feel compelled to answer.

Purchase a copy of Chocolates from Tangier at Chaucer’s in Santa Barbara, or from doppelhouse.com/chocolates-from-tangier

Jana Zimmer wrote Chocolates from Tangier based on her journals, poems, artwork, and the experiences of her parents

Where it started the shape of the village by Jana Zimmer

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

ENJOY YOUR PRESENT WHILE WE SECURE YOUR FUTURE.

The Paskin Group offers multifamily investment opportunities complete with:

» No management responsibilities

» All the tax benefits of independent real estate ownership

» High, long-term yields

» Low sponsorship fees

» Ability to accept 1031 exchange funds Your investment can create stable, passive income and multi-generational wealth.

first order – flourished on the 900 block of State Street, being recognized (and awarded) as one of the best gift stores in Santa Barbara every year it was opened.

In 2020, a globe-encircling runaway bronchial virus (if you can imagine) arrived to stop the world turning, and Cooper had to painfully shutter Plum Goods. When she learned that the longtime owners of The Sacred Space were divesting, she saw a literally marvelous opportunity; one approximately as daunting as a sherpa-free ascent of Everest. It helped that she deeply shared the founders’ inclinations; and that the stars otherwise aligned in the person of an open-hearted creative and believer in her vision; a Montecitan and polymath named Pete Muller

“I met Amy Cooper at Plum Goods many years ago on Christmas Eve,” Muller says. “I loved the great energy and vibe at Plum Goods. It became a tradition for me to shop there on December 24 every year, and I always looked forward to our chats. Like so many others, I was completely bummed when Plum Goods went out of business during the pandemic.” Muller is that familiar modern emblem of success: a towering Quantitative Investment genius/Forbes fixation whose songs have lingered near the top of the Billboard charts with some regularity. Read that again if you have to. “I fortuitously re-met Amy through her involvement with Santa Barbara Records,” Muller says in a nod to Cooper’s own tireless multiverse. “We started brainstorming on different ways we could do something creative together. When the Sacred Space opportunity came up, Amy reached out to see if I wanted to invest in her assuming the business. I thought, ‘Who me? I don’t invest in retail’; and in fact, I had never even been out to the store. But on my first visit to The Sacred Space, I got it. I understood how important it was to the community, what Amy hoped to accomplish, and why Jack and Rose thought she would be the perfect person to inherit their baby. It felt a little like I was being called to help make it happen. Who knows, maybe I’ll start doing my Christmas Eve shopping there!”

The rest is herstory. Amy Cooper has taken the previous owners’ uniquely fulsome vision and married it to her own light-filled focus, bringing to The Sacred Space the warm, welcoming Plum Goods vibe with which the Central Coast once fell head over heels in love. “In a world where there is no shortage of problems,” Cooper says, “I’d like to offer one small ‘solution,’ even if that’s just an hour where someone feels like all will be well, or feels joy, or a sense of peace, or that they aren’t alone. And then they’re able to take a piece of that experience home with them and share it with others.”

Workshops, special events, and concerts onsite augment the Sacred Space mission, the covered amphitheater an example of the “deep jungle palatial” design school. The environs are otherwise pleasantly disorienting. From the outside you’ll see a cozily entrancing little shopfront overgrown with a riot of foliage – a vaguely equatorial welcome of sun-blanched, ornately tooled wood panels and carved elephants, trunks eternally raised in greeting. Inside, the space opens up in a way that fleetingly calls your sanity into question. Spacious, fragrant rooms – sparkling with beautiful and authentic accoutrements of the spirit – meander around a series of improbable gardens alive with water music. There is something puzzlingly magical about The Sacred Space.

And surely the best is yet to come. Cooper is one of those people whose word is not only their bond, but a harbinger of happy forward motion. She can see her evolving Sacred Space as plain as day. “We offer solace and delight to people from around the world, treasures you can’t find anywhere else, and you always leave feeling better than when you arrived,” she says. “This is where I love to be.”

Jeff Wing is a journalist, raconteur, autodidact, and polysyllable enthusiast who sees the Village as a dazzling kaleidoscope of stories—some of them a little nutty. Jeff can be reached at Jeff@ montecitojournal.net

variety of telemetry gear. And of course, printed copies of their “Shark Comic Book series,” which one can download online for free.

The program was moderated by Harry Rabin, oceanic documentary filmmaker and researcher. Lowe presented all about the Shark Lab, which is over 50 years old and world renowned for its research and documentation on sharks. While it has been featured on TV and in documentaries, he is more excited about the many in-roads being made by his lab and grad students documenting shark behavior, eating habitats, populations, migration, coastal locations, shark traffic, and the mingling of sharks with humans, “that goes on more than people realize and without incident.” He also presented the lab’s multi-level educational services from K-12 and for the public at large, along with the co-lab with a psychologist to research people’s views of sharks to map out future educational programming. He discussed key rationale why great white juveniles have been increasingly noted close to the shorelines: Sharks prefer warm water found by the shore, newborn sharks are left on their own by their parents and feel safer closer to the shore, and it is easier to find food like seals and stingrays. Lowe outlined the gear lost and what it does, such as the buoys with transmitters that detect the location of sharks and send messages to the closest lifeguards to alert them. An impressive research study being conducted will provide information through sonic information on if sharks behave differently with surfers, kayakers, paddle boarders, and swimmers.

Post-Doctoral Fellow Dr. Ryan Logan presented data on the densest populations of great whites, which are found at Padaro Beach and beaches in San Diego, consistently since 2020 [see photo].

Also presenting was Carlos Gauna, who prior to the pandemic was a wedding photographer. In 2020, he used a drone to film gray whales when he happened to get footage of great white sharks, and since, has devoted his time to filming the sharks for behavioral studies and data support to scientists globally, available on an open source. He showed his latest video depicting his experience with the Shark Lab grads tagging a shark, providing first-hand views of this process. It will be available on his YouTube channel.

Lucky raffle winners and auction winners received an opportunity to join the Shark Lab research team as volunteer observers during a great white shark tagging mission.

Reef Guardians helped sponsor the event.

To make a donation, click on the QR code in the photo!

411: The mission of the Shark Lab is to study the physiological and behavioral ecology of marine animals, emphasizing the effect of human activity on the ocean; to utilize and develop innovative technology to answer challenging questions important for the conservation and restoration of depleted populations; and to train the next generation of marine biologists.

www.csulb.edu/shark-lab

Instagram: @csulbsharklab www.youtube.com/themalibuartist

look to the future because that is where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.” — George Burns

Shark Lab team: Dr. Chris Lowe, Director of Education

Corina Silva, and Computer Scientist & Software Engineer Darnell Gadberry (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Padaro Beach shark population data by Dr. Ryan Logan (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

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

Inside you’ll find an unlikely maze of curiosities, literary gems, actual gems, and accoutrements of the spirit (photo by Amy Cooper)

“We also got to meet Charles and his sister Princess Anne , and they couldn’t have been more charming,” Mary told me at a lunch for her 17-year-old charity ARISE Conferences at the Montecito Club.

“I also gave him a small gift bag of Santa Barbara pistachios and a copy of the Montecito Journal, including your column. Princess Anne said she loved pistachios and given his son, Prince Harry, lives in our rarefied enclave I’m sure he’ll find it fascinating reading!”

Mary – who welcomed 80 guests to the boffo bash that raised more than $50,000 for her nonprofit that sponsors three conferences annually to honor women who have come to shelters for rehabilitation looking for a new life – says staying at the imposing historic home, built by William the Conqueror, was quite an honor, but she described the interior decorations as “ I Love Lucy ‘60s style.”

As a souvenir of their stay, mother and daughter bought five corgi plushies at the castle gift shop.

Needless to say, Katy, 38, also featured heavily in the fun fête with shoes from her personally-designed collection up for grabs and a live auction conducted by the ubiquitous Drew Wakefield and Katy’s father, Keith Hudson , including a Dolce & Gabbana robe with a rhinestone belt being snapped up for $5,500; a pickle ball match and dinner at the Montecito Club with Keith and Mary going for $2,000 to seven different bidders for a total of $14,000; a white gold and pave diamond necklace designed by Dru Hammer , ex-wife of the late tycoon Michael Hammer , which sold for $5,000; and a silk Chanel shirt owned by Keith, which went for $1,200.

Jude Fouquier of City Church CA gave the keynote address, while two clients, Adriana Cabrillo and Cassie Erickson, recounted their experiences with the charity, which has built up relationships with local clergy in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Maui, Hawaii.

Ranchera at La Patera

Among the supporters turning out were Henry and Erin Walker, Donna Reeves , Adam McKaig and Melissa Borders , Kirsten Cavendish , Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey Nowak , Brian Hill, and Nolan Nicholson

A majestic bash indeed....

A Moving Show

After nearly a decade, Santa Barbara’s Momentum Dance Company celebrated with an energized, colorful show at the historic Lobero Theatre.

The company marked the occasion with a Glow Gala, lighting up the stage with more than 100 dancers, premiering two hours of dance fun.

The entertaining ninth anniversary performance combined tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and acrobatics in 44 numbers with dancers aged three to 18 with eclectic choreography by Landry Breaux , Christina Crocker , Mackenzie Groty , Jaylyn Vaughan , and Betsy Woyach , the company’s owner and director.

A fun night...

More than 600 guests turned out for the 15th anniversary of Fiesta Ranchera at the 151-year-old Rancho La Patera gardens in Goleta raising in excess of $30,000 split equally between Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society.

The fun fête, chaired by the tony triumvirate of Janice Howell, Paula Bottiani, and Jenna Verbryke, featured 25 food and drink vendors, as well as music by guitarist Tony Ybarra and, later in the evening, Area 51.

Junior Spirit Olivia Nelson and the first male Spirit Jack Harwood showed off their flamenco skills.

“It is a time for dance, a time for music,” says El Presidente David Bolton. “A time to be out with family and friends.”

I couldn’t agree more...

And the Grant Goes to…

The Fund for Santa Barbara hosted its spring grand awards celebration handing out checks totaling a record $330,000 at the Lobero Theatre Courtyard, including $230,000 in racial equity funds.

“The money has come in fast,” says Patricia Solorio, associate director. “The recession has been a bit of a wet blanket, but I think the future is bright.”

Among the recipient organizations were the Family Service Agency, Freedom 4 Youth, House of Pride and Equality, and Madi’s Treasure Box.

Among the guests were Board President Eric Cardenas , Associate Director Marcos Vargas, Grant Programs Manager Tania Reyes, Rosalyn Collins, Annette Cordero, and Jennifer Navarro

Summer of the Artist Starts Strong

The Music Academy’s 76th annual festival Summer of the Artist got off to a glorious start with two major sold-out concerts at Hahn Hall on the Miraflores campus.

Kicking off the eight-week event, which ends on August 5, was the ever-popular Takacs Quartet with violinists Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes , cellist András Fejér , Miscellany Page 424

“When all else fails, there’s always delusion.” — Conan O’Brien

Momentum Dance Company pulls out all the stops (photo courtesy of Momentum Dance Company)

Dacia Harwood, El Primer Gonzalo Sarmiento, 2023 Junior Spirit of Fiesta Oliva Grace Nelson, and her mother Angela Nelson (photo by Priscilla)

Diana Replogle, Dacia Harwood, Tim Taylor, Lisa Osborne, Tony Ybarra, and Roger Aceves (photo by Priscilla)

El Presidente David Bolton, Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, GVHS President Paula Bottani, and GVHS Board Member Stephanie Petlow (photo by Priscilla)

Cava

The New Darling of Sparkling Wines

by Jamie Knee

Everyone’s heard of Champagne, and most people have heard of Prosecco, but the new darling in the world of sparkling wine is Cava. This delicious bubbly from Penedès, Spain, is actually not so new, having been discovered in the late 1800s. For those who are unfamiliar with Cava, it’s a sparkling wine that’s made using the traditional method, just like Champagne. However, instead of being made in France, Cava is produced in the Penedès region of Spain.

So, I recently had the chance to explore this beautiful area, and let me tell you, it was love at first sip! The food and wine were just out of this world, but it wasn’t just the tasty treats that stole my heart. The people in the region are so warm and welcoming, it felt like home away from home. Plus, the similarities between Penedès, Spain, and Santa Barbara are uncanny. Both have stunning natural landscapes that make for some seriously gorgeous vineyards. Santa Barbara’s got the Pacific Ocean and rolling hills, and Penedès has the mountains and Mediterranean Sea – talk about breathtaking views! Oh, and the climate is perfect for growing grapes, with warm summers and mild winters. Plus, Penedès has a rich cultural heritage and some seriously delicious Spanish cuisine, much like Santa Barbara.

So why should you give Cava sparkling wine a try? Well, let me give you a few reasons. Cava is absolutely delicious! Unlike Champagne, which can be quite expensive, Cava offers an affordable alternative without sacrificing quality. This means that you can enjoy a delicious sparkling wine without breaking the bank. Just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean it’s not high quality. In fact, Cava is held to very high standards. To be labeled as ‘Cava,’ from the certifying body called the Cava DO, the wine must meet strict criteria. The only grapes varieties allowed to be used in the region are Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Malvasía, red Garnacha, Trepat, Monastrell, and Pinot Noir.

Cava is classified based on the aging requirements and flavor profiles of the wine and has different flavor profiles sure to satisfy all tastes.

There are six classifications of Cava:

1. Cava de Guarda: This is the youngest and freshest style of Cava, which must be aged for at least nine months on its lees, dead yeast cells. The flavor profile is characterized by fruity and floral notes with a lively acidity.

2. Cava Reserva: This type of Cava must be aged for a minimum of 15 months on its lees. The flavor profile is more complex and well-rounded with notes of brioche, toast, and nuts.

3. Cava Gran Reserva: This style of Cava is aged for a minimum of 30 months on its lees. The flavor profile is characterized by a more developed and intense bouquet, with notes of honey, dried fruits, and vanilla.

4. Cava de Paraje Calificado: This is the newest category of Cava, which was introduced in 2017. It is made from grapes grown in a single vineyard that is considered

exceptional in terms of terroir and winemaking practices. The aging requirements for this category are similar to those of Gran Reserva.

5. Cava Rosado: This is a pink-colored Cava that can be made in any of the above styles. The flavor profile is characterized by red fruit notes, such as strawberry and raspberry.

6. Cava Brut Nature: This is a style of Cava that is not sweetened with dosage (a mixture of wine and sugar). The flavor profile is characterized by a bone-dry taste, with notes of citrus and green apple.

Cava can be produced using only the Champagne method, meaning the bottles are racked and riddled, and aged in bottle. This means that you can be sure you’re getting a wine that’s been crafted with care and attention to detail. It should give you confidence that in 2022, the Cava DO sold over 249 million bottles of this tasty sparkling wine.

Cava offers a luxurious and sophisticated addition to any lifestyle. Its affordability, versatility, and association with celebrations and sophistication make it a perfect fit for those seeking to add a touch of luxury to their lives. It’s a refreshing and lively wine that can be enjoyed in a variety of settings. With its crisp acidity, lively bubbles, and notes of citrus and apple, Cava is a wine that’s sure to please.

Whether you’re a fan of sparkling wines or simply looking for something new to try, Cava is definitely worth a taste.

Parellada is one of the varietals used in the production of Cava (photo by Justus Hayes)

Jamie Knee is a global wine communicator and travel writer, authoring numerous articles for wine and travel lifestyle publications. She’s hosted 100+ winemaker interviews, judged at 10+ international wine competitions, and holds multiple wine, sommelier, and educator certifications. Based in Montecito, she shares her passion for wine with her husband, Joel, and chihuahua Dolce.

XJOIN US FOR CHEF COLLABORATION

Join us as Executive Chef Massimo Falsini and Chef Daniel Humm unite forces for a New York City meets Montecito dining experience.

This two-night-only event will take place at Caruso’s and will feature a collaborative eight-course plant-based menu combining the modern elegance of Eleven Madison Park and the California farm-fresh ingredients from the Central Coast.

JUNE 30TH & JULY 1ST

RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE FROM 5:30PM – 9PM

$395

PER PERSON

For more details and to reserve your table, please visit www.ro sewoodmiramarbeach/carusos or scan the below code with your mobile device’s camera.

Far Flung Travel

Virunga’s Natural Wonders

by Chuck Graham

The 500-pound male mountain gorilla (also known as a silverback) was hungry, not hangry, just hungry in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda in Central Africa.

As shafts of morning light penetrated the rainforest, he casually lumbered over to a dense stock of bamboo, the biggest shafts as round as a baseball bat. He looked upward into the ceiling of the rainforest, while searching for what he deemed the best bamboo.

When he found the stock he wanted, the burly silverback sat back on his haunches, grabbed the bamboo it desired and proceeded to snap it off as easily as a toothpick with just one mighty hand. Yes, mountain gorillas are crazy strong, and at the same time quite gentle.

I was less than 20 feet away resting quietly in the dense mountain flora. I was with two friends, Danny and Craig, and a handful of passionate park rangers. We were all blown away by the silverback’s otherworldly strength, his stoic behavior, and what little noise he made. His voracious appetite was also some-

thing to behold. Occasionally, there was a low murmuring grunt in between stripping thick strips of bamboo with its impressive teeth.

It was safe to say that all three of us were utterly amazed and in awe of being in the presence of one of the most endangered animals on the planet. It was February 2019. It was the second time I had been around mountain gorillas, but it had been a long while since my first encounter.

Laying Low in the Lowlands

My first trip into mountain gorilla habitat was in June 1991. I was in the lowlands of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, located in what was then Eastern Zaire. Other than hanging out with a family of lowland mountain gorillas, it was without a doubt an extremely stressful excursion.

That region of Central Africa was volatile to say the least and has remained so throughout the years. Back then, the country was in the throes of civil war. Today it’s the Congo, where political unrest never seems to ease.

I fondly remember a baby lowland

LAND TO SEa ADVENTURES ARE OUR JAM

mountain gorilla being cradled by its doting mother as she inhaled heaps of vegetation. I watched intently as they traded tender moments in the rainforest. Nearby was the dominant male. He had his back to me, but occasionally looked over his broad shoulders to give me a mere glance.

I was with a ranger who didn’t say much but knew exactly where to locate this troop of mountain gorillas. We were the only people with this troop, which was a special experience, but at the same time was troubling considering the political strife surrounding the region. There always seemed to be an uneasy feeling hovering above the canopy.

At that moment, I wanted to hang onto that experience with that family of gorillas as long as I could. Unfortunately, the time spent with mountain gorillas was a blur.

Rules being what they are, there was only about 90 minutes to enjoy being in their presence. It was time to head back to the border of Zaire and Burundi.

The mountain road there and back was terrifying. There were a couple of times where the outside wheels of the British army truck I was in hung over the edge of a sheer cliff face, a river flowing several hundred feet below. The road was so rough, we had to patch a flat tire several times enroute to the border. Every time we stopped, locals appeared out of the brush watching every move we made. I could feel their desperation with their country on the brink.

We arrived at the border in the dark, and it was shut down for the night. Any sleep was a luxury. Everyone in the truck was running on fumes, and there was no rest because

“Do not take

too seriously - you will never get out of it alive.” — Elbert Hubbard

Mom keeping a watchful eye on the young’un

Even gorillas practice self-love

of political strife. Water, also an issue, had to be retrieved from a source where crocodiles lurked. All the while, I leaned on my 90 minutes with those lowland gorillas, majestic beauty thriving within a volatile land.

Mountain Innocence

In February 2019, Danny, Craig, and I drove from Uganda into Rwanda. As we approached Virunga National Park,

the winding mountain roads revealed all the colorful patches of agricultural lands creeping up the steep mountainsides. Despite that, Virunga National Park is the African continent’s most biodiverse region, housing over a mind-boggling one thousand species of fauna.

To increase biodiversity, I learned the Rwandan Government was in the long process of buying land back in the Virunga Mountains, giving all flora and

fauna a chance in the rainforest. There are only about 800 to 1,000 mountain gorillas left, so every plot of land bought back and returned to the rainforest is vital for populations of surviving mountain gorillas.

The next day, I killed time birding around the lodge. Beneath a canopy of dewy overcast, there were great opportunities around the lush gardens to see mousebirds, boubous, and robins. The most colorful, though, was the variety of sunbirds. They were virtual blurs, while they enjoyed the vibrant hibiscus and roses.

We were up early the following morning, anticipating what we might see. After meeting with our guide and accompanying team of rangers, we drove into the lowlands before hiking into the rainforest. There was a lot of radio chatter amongst them as we kept in a tight single file.

Many rangers working as mountain guides are former poachers. They’ve flipped the script, realizing that saving such a valuable resource and natural wonder was crucial for the species and their country, instead of letting another endangered species waste away.

Maybe 30 minutes within the dense mountain flora, we were told to remain silent and there was to be no movement. A family of gorillas was close by. All of us heard some thrashing in the dense thickets. It was a baby mountain gorilla. It was only a couple months old, but it

possessed all the playful exuberance of a two-year-old child.

With morning dew drops clinging to its jet-black fur, this precocious baby mountain gorilla was having a ball. It repeatedly clambered up the back of its mother, as it demanded her attention. Then a series of impressive somersaults followed in the wet grass, an open patch for Danny, Craig, and I to observe its playful behavior. Mom and baby were just 10 feet away as the rangers stayed right behind us.

However, the baby closed to within two feet of us. It looked as if it knew how cute, or possibly how mischievous it was. It rolled and bounced around us, making several passes before heading back to mom. The youngster climbed up its mother’s back, where she sauntered off before us, while melding back into the rainforest. We were speechless.

Chuck Graham is a freelance writer and photographer based in Carpinteria, where he also leads kayak tours and backpacking trips in Channel Islands National Park

WALK MONTECITO!

Having trouble finding the Starbucks

MONTECITO SANITARY DISTRICT

NOTICE OF A HEARING TO CONTINUE THE PRACTICE OF COLLECTING

MONTECITO SANITARY DISTRICT SEWER SERVICE CHARGES ON THE COUNTY TAX ROLL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at 12:00 p.m. on the 22nd day of June 2023, a hearing will be held to enable the MONTECITO SANITARY DISTRICT Governing Board to hear any objections to the collection of annual sewer service charges by use of the County Tax roll rather than billing monthly or quarterly. This meeting will be held at the District office located at 1042 Monte Cristo Lane, Santa Barbara, California as well as available remotely via Zoom meetings (Meeting ID 861 1897 5917). Information for joining the meeting will also be posted at the District office 72 hours prior to the meeting time and on the District’s website at www.montsan.org/meetings

A report, which will be available at the time of the hearing in the Office of the MONTECITO SANITARY DISTRICT, contains a description of each parcel (APN) of real property within the MONTECITO SANITARY DISTRICT to which sewer service is presently being rendered, and for which an application for service has been made to the District on or before June 30, 2023. The report also sets forth the charge to be made for sewer services to each of said parcels for the Fiscal Year 2023-24.

The District has elected to collect sewer service charges by use of the County Tax Roll in previous fiscal years and is proposing to use the same procedure for collection in Fiscal Year 2023-24. Sewer service charges, which are placed on the County Tax Roll for collection will be due and payable in the same manner, and the same time, as general taxes appearing on the County Tax Roll.

As set forth by Resolution No. 2022-968

Adopted by the Governing Board at its meeting on May 10, 2023

Published June 14 & 21 2023

Montecito Journal

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: D&G Market, 1002 North H St., Lompoc, CA 93436. D&G Stores INC, 1002 North H St., Lompoc, CA 93436. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on June 14, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2023-0001520.

Published June 21, 28, July 5, July 12, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Seas Below, 2155 Ortega Hill #28, Summerland, CA 93067. Barbara K Popp, 2155 Ortega Hill #28, Summerland, CA 93067. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on May 24, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2023-0001103.

Published June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Jadrima, 234 Ocean View Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013. Julie L. Hall, 234 Ocean View Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on June 2, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2023-0001409.

Published June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Ray

administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: September 7, 2023, at 9 am in Dept. 5, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file your written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court with the later date of either four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, or 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice. Other California statues and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. Attorney for petitioner: Linn Shulte-Sasse, 3756 Grand Avenue, Suite 302, Oakland, CA 94610. (510)594-8483. Decedent died on 10/12/2022 at 1500 Duarte Road, Duarte, California. Filed June 7, 2023, by Nicole Barnard, Deputy. Published June 21, 28, July 5, 12, 2023.

Walker Design, 519 W. Quinto St, Apt A, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Stitch House LLC, 2636 Woodstock Rd, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on May 17, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk.

I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2023-0001294.

Published May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Utopia Technology; Montecito Security Systems, 27 W. Anapamu St, Suite 316, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. James Budow, 27 W. Anapamu St, Suite 316, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on May 18, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk.

I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2023-0001304.

Published May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 2023

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER

ESTATE OF: Suzanne McCarroll. To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Suzanne McCarroll, a Petition for Probate has been filed by Michael McCarroll in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. The Petition for Probate requests that Michael McCarroll be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. The independent

Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court: CASE No. 23CV02189. Notice to Defendant: Joseph Foster: You are being sued by Plaintiff: Thomas Casabianca. You and the plaintiff must go to court on the trial date listed below. If you cannot go to court, you may lose the case. If you lose, the court can order you’re your wages, money, or property to be taken to pay this claim. Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case. The plaintiff claims the defendant owes $2,250. Court date: July 28, 2023, at 9 am in Dept 5, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Filed 6/13/2023 by Narzralli Baksh, Deputy Clerk. Published June 21, 28, July 5, 12, 2023.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 23CV02271. To all interested parties: Petitioner Rodolfo M. Valencia Jr filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to Rudy Valencia Jr The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed May 30, 2023 by Norma Willoughby. Hearing date: July 26, 2023 at 8:30 am in Dept. SM3, 312-C East Cook St, Santa Maria, CA 93454. Published June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 2023.

AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 23CV01714. To all interested parties: Petitioner Tatiana Esmeralda Morales-Rodriguez filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to Tatiana Esmeralda Bonilla. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed May 25, 2023 by Narzralli Baksh. Hearing date: July 19, 2023 at 10 am in Dept. 3, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 2023.

(above) Sustainably managed cows at Las Cumbres Ranch in Santa Barbara County. Learn more about Cows Rebuilding the Soil at sbcfan.org/videos.

PHOTO J ANDREW HILL / PHAROS CREATIVE

PHARMACY OWNER. SANTA BARBARA POLICE OFFICER. DANISH TV STAR. ACTUALLY.

STORY BY JEFF WING

In far-off 1984, a restless young man with an interestingly European two-stroke name – Keld Hove – emigrated from his native Denmark to the United States with a hundred dollars in his pocket. Today, Hove is both a Santa Barbara police officer and a bona fide star on a hit Danish TV show called –you guessed it –

And what, dear reader, is Keld Hove’s role in Barbara. This Dane has completed a glowing full circle his 19-year-old self could scarcely have foreseen.

For the rest of the story go to: www.montecitojournal.net/glossy-edition/

vocal skills, accompanied by pianist John Arida , with works from Bizet, Montsalvatge, Velázquez , Bernstein, and Sondheim.

A cracking launch to what promises to be a highly entertaining season…

Sinatra and the Symphony

and violist Richard O’Neill , formerly with Camerata Pacifica.

Fanny Mendelssohn’s “String Quartet in E-flat major” and Schubert’s “String Quartet in G major” made for a heady

performance in the packed venue.

Just 48 hours later mezzo soprano Isabel Leonard , an academy alumna who won a Grammy for best opera recording, showed off her impeccable

Santa Barbara Symphony, under dashingly attired veteran maestro Nir Kabaretti, concluded its 70th anniversary season at the Granada with An Evening with Sinatra with Tony DeSare singing not only the music of Ol’ Blue Eyes, but a medley of favorites by Cole Porter, and wrapping up the highly entertaining show with the 1957 hit, “Great Balls of Fire” by the late Jerry Lee Lewis

Members of the orchestra were dressed in white dinner jackets for the occasion, while Nir wore a shimmering silver jacket for the big night.

DeSare, who was accompanied by his trio – guitarist Ed Decker, drummer Michael Klopp, and bassist Dylan Shamat – was in fine form, both singing and on the piano.

A Las Vegas regular and performer at New York’s Carnegie Hall, he recounted meeting former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney , while entertaining at Manhattan’s Cafe Carlyle, where I used to see pianist Bobby Short in cabaret and, while he was at his home in the south of France during the summer, chanteuse Eartha Kitt slithering over the grand piano.

“Paul really liked one of my love songs and came over at the end of the show to congratulate me,” a very impressed DeSare recounted.

“You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.” — Brigham Young

Takács Quartet shows its abundant talent (photo by Zach Mendez)

Tony DeSare wooing the audience with a song from Ol’ Blue Eyes (photo by Priscilla)

Isabel Leonard’s recital with pianist John Arida (photo by Zach Mendez)

Nir Kabaretti, Janet Garufis, Kathryn Martin, and Tony DeSare (photo by Priscilla)

Montecito Bank & Trust Chairman and CEO Janet Garufis and morning radio host Catherine Remak (photo by Isaac Hernandez)

Fund for Santa Barbara’s Grant Award recipients (photo by Robin Zavala)

Grant Recipient Jojo Murdock and son accepting a 2023 grant from the Fund for Santa Barbara (photo by Robin Zavala)

Afterwards a post-concert bash was hosted in the Founders Room with DeSare and Nir serenading Anne Towbes on her birthday, along with other guests including Bob and Val Montgomery, John and Christie Glanville, Dana and Andrea Newquist, Stefan and Christine Riesenfeld , Gretchen Lieff , Dana Hansen, and Janet Garufis

A&L Going Strong at 64

Social gridlock reigned at the Santa Barbara Club when 245 guests converged on the historic venue when UCSB Arts & Lectures, which is celebrating its 64th anniversary, revealed its slate of performances for the 2023-2024 season that features 48 events.

These include recitals by Broadway star Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth , jazz legend Herbie Hancock, and soprano Renée Fleming

The season kicks off at the venerable Granada on October 1 with rising young music star multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier.

It features three West Coast premieres, a Californian premiere, and a Southern California premiere.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do at Arts & Lectures,” says Miller McCune executive director

Celesta Billeci . ‘The importance of coming together is more important now than ever.

“The extraordinary breadth and depth of our programming in 20232024 offers an unparalleled moment to experience vital communications. Gathering to witness great performers and to engage in meaningful dialogue with cultural leaders sparks a joy for which there is no substitute.”

Among the supporters turning out were Henry and Dilling Yang , Sam Tyler , Robert Weinman , Debra Stewart , Palmer Jackson , John Palminteri , Marybeth Carty , NancyBell Coe , Geoff Green , Gretchen Lieff , Janet Garufis , Catherine Remak , Bruce Heavin , Drew Wakefield , Nancy Kogevinas , and Sandy Robinson .

Attorneys’ Fees Continue

Kevin Costner ’s divorce from estranged wife Christine Baumgartner would appear to be getting more acrimonious by the day with claims the Oscar winner is now “homeless,” she splurged $95,000 on his credit card, and has a restraining order against him.

The Carpinteria-based actor’s attorneys claim they have made “multiple offers” to

get his wife to move out of their former Padaro Lane marital home, but have failed to reach agreement with Christine, 49, a model turned handbag designer, leaving him effectively homeless.

Costner, 68, laments: “This is surprising and disheartening to me.

“I was married once before and, upon separating, found myself without a home base and unable to live in my own home. I never wanted this to happen again.”

Costner is reportedly worth $250 million and under the terms of the couple’s prenuptial agreement signed in 2004, she has to leave his properties if they split and relocate, using a $1.2 million fund to find a new house.

He alleges his estranged spouse is in breach of this agreement, saying he now wishes to move into the sprawling $145 million property which they shared.

It is owned solely by Costner, having bought it in 1988, long before their 2004 wedding.

Stay tuned...

Request Denied

The Department of Homeland Security has officially denied a Washington, D.C. think tank’s request to release immigration documents on Prince Harry to find out whether he declared his drug use to officials before coming to live in the U.S.

The Riven Rock resident’s revelation of taking psychedelic mushrooms, cocaine, and marijuana were detailed in his bestselling memoir Spare, published in January.

Admissions of drug use can be a serious hurdle for non-Americans who want to be admitted to the country.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified the Heritage Foundation of its response last week, citing privacy rules in rejecting the request in an emailed letter.

“To the extent records exist, this office does not find a public interest in disclosure sufficient to override the subject’s privacy interests,” senior director Jimmy Wolfrey wrote in a letter obtained by the New York Post.

Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, said the DHS response “shows an appalling lack of transparency by the Biden administration” and vowed the battle will continue in the courts.

And, in other news on the Sussexi, Spotify has decided to scrap its deal with the royal couple announcing Meghan Markle’s podcast Archetype will not be renewed for a second season in what has been described as a mutual decision between them and the streaming behemoth.

With just 12 recordings in two years, it is estimated the move will cost the duo up to $10 million.

New Assistant

Harrison Colcord, former director of sales and marketing at the San Ysidro Ranch, is now working for near neigh-

bors, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry used the ritzy hostelry to do interviews to promote his controversial ghost-written autobiography Spare with Anderson Cooper of 60 Minutes and Tom Bradby of U.K.’s ITV.

In recent correspondence from the tony twosome to Martin and Jennifer Blevins , owners of the Mad Dogs & Englishmen bike shop on Coast Village Road, for a bicycle they sent as a gift for their son Archie ’s fourth birthday, the letter was signed by Colcord on behalf of the Office of Prince Harry and Meghan.

Anniversary on the Ranch

Actor Chris Pratt and wife Katherine Schwarzenegger celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary by paying a visit to Ty Warner’s San Ysidro Ranch, where they tied the knot.

“Happy Anniversary!... Back to the spot where we said ‘I do.’ Love you honey,’” Pratt, 43, wrote on Instagram along with a sweet selfie of the duo.

For her part, Katherine, 43, daughter of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 75, and former TV anchor Maria Shriver, 67, posted a series of snaps of the pair at the 500-acre retreat.

Well Wishes to Bonaduce

On a personal note, my thoughts are with former Partridge Family actor Danny Bonaduce, 63, who was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid on the brain.

Bonaduce, who I used to work out with in an aerobics class at the Hollywood Y when I lived nearby in Hancock Park and was a commentator on the KTLA TV morning show, has been scheduled to undergo brain surgery, which will see doctors place a shunt in his head that will diminish the liquid, which has impaired his ability to walk and maintain balance.

I wish him a speedy recovery...

Sightings

Prince Harry at the Warrior Games in San Diego... Former TV talk show host James Corden eating breakfast at the Rosewood Miramar... Warbler Katy Perry checking out Circus Vargas. Pip! Pip!

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

Dilling Yang and UCSB Chancellor Henry T. Yang, A&L Program Advisor Bruce Heavin, and A&L Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci (photo by Isaac Hernandez)

A&L Ambassador Crystal Wyatt and A&L Leadership Circle member Clifford Wyatt (photo by Isaac Hernandez)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Calendar of Events

by Steven Libowitz

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

Solstice Pride & Blues – It doesn’t have quite the same patriotic ring as red, white, and blue, but veteran Santa Barbara blues singer-harmonica player Morganfield Burnett comes close with a special show marking the intersection of Pride month, Summer Solstice, and Juneteenth at SOhO. The bill of fare features Burnett’s Jelly Roll R&B quartet, drag star Vivian Storm, and Sugarmill Slim, a blues-punk hybrid from Los Angeles “dipped in glitter and covered in eyeliner.” Expect to be mightily entertained on the eve of another smashing Solstice weekend.

WHEN: 8 pm

WHERE: 1221 State St., upstairs in Victoria Court

COST: $18 in advance, $25 at the door

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

MOXI’s Summer Happy Hour – MOXI, aka The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, is dedicated to igniting learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity, pretty much geared toward children. But once a quarter or so, the museum poses quite the query: Why should kids have all the fun? Indeed, tonight it’s time once again for the grownups to play as MOXI stays open late for another edition of its Happy Hour events. Adults get the chance to explore all three floors of interactive exhibits, including the rooftop Sky Garden with its panoramic city and ocean views, sans the little ones but with an adult beverage in hand. The event is 21 and over as beer and wine are available for purchase, but just because kids aren’t allowed doesn’t mean you can’t act like one as you play, drink, and satisfy your curiosity at Santa Barbara’s home for handson learning. Tonight’s special activity: Make something in the Innovation Workshop or watch your drawing come to life with Line-us drawing robots. Indulge to your heart’s content, but maybe don’t tell the kids where you’re going tonight.

WHEN: 5:30-8 pm

WHERE: MOXI Museum of Exploration + Innovation, 125 State St.

COST: $14 (free for MOXI members)

INFO: (805) 770-5000 or https://moxi.org/calendar/summer-happy-hour

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

‘Bumping Mics’ Chortle Champs at Chumash –Headlining comedians

Jeff Ross and Dave Attell join forces for a special, one-night-only “Bumping Mics” show, playing off the popular three-episode 2018 Netflix series of the same name that featured the two comics concluding their New York tour with a special show of the two improvising on stage. The series showcased the spitfire banter between the two unfiltered stand-ups with various celebrity guests – although there’s no telling if anybody else will join them on stage this evening. These two longtime friends and masters of improvisation are known for hilariously roasting each other, as well as audience members, during their show that’s filled with social commentary, personal stories, and their brand of good-natured ribbing. The New Jersey-raised Ross has been performing stand-up since 1989, and by the mid-1990s became a regular at the Friars Club roasts – where he earned his famous title, “The Roastmaster General” – reprising that role for all of Comedy Central’s roasts since 2005. Attell, from Long Island, New York, dipped into stand-up comedy in the late 1980s, worked his way through the open mic circuit, and was eventually named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly. In 2001, he created and hosted the hit series Insomniac with Dave Attell for Comedy Central. Attell and Ross re-join comedic forces to bring colorful wit and unabashed dialogue to the Samala Showroom stage for one night only in the Valley.

WHEN: 8 pm

WHERE: Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway 246, 1: Santa Ynez COST: $49-$79

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

Pop at the Polo Place – Michael and Lisa Amador recently took over the restaurant at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, now cleverly called Fieldside Coastal Steakhouse, and have not only altered the menu but also added regular weekly live music. During polo season, lunch and dinner are served on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and there’s a special polo menu on Fridays and Sundays. Thursday Night Jams is the new weekly music series, and both members and the public are welcome as additional lawn tables and chairs can be set up to accommodate more people and create a more enjoyable atmosphere. Chef Michael Amador brings over 30 years of delivering the highest quality food and service in the most prestigious restaurants and private clubs in the Santa Barbara area, but guests can simply sip cocktails while savoring the sounds on a summer’s evening. This week (June 22): BFD (aka Bobby, Fin, & Dave), featuring two of the members of longtime Santa Barbara power pop heroes, The Tearaways –who recently collaborated with Blondie drummer Clem Burke on their new album – will be playing their patented “British Invasion meets the California Sun” sound. June 29: Maitland Ward and Jimmy Calire

WHEN: 5:30-7:30 pm

WHERE: 3375 Foothill Rd., Carpinteria

COST: free admission

INFO: (805) 684-6683 or https://sbpolo.com/web/pages/fieldside

Pages & Props – Bart’s Books in Ojai is the first in the area to tap author Stewart Lawrence Sinclair for an interactive event featuring his new book on his favorite pastime, Juggling (published by Duke University’s Practices Series). The book is a whimsical, scientific, embodied work, and one boasting local roots as Sinclair first learned to juggle at the Boys and Girls Club in Ventura. In describing juggling as a hobby, an obsession, and a world, Sinclair – who usually writes about class, belonging, and the vagaries of upward mobility in America – pulls readers deep into, not just the juggling world, but also the mind of the juggler, one reviewer said. Following his talk in the courtyard at Bart’s Books – which has been serving the Ojai community since 1964 as the world’s largest outdoor bookstore – juggling materials will be provided for those who want to stick around to practice.

WHEN: 6:30-7:30 pm

WHERE: 302 W. Matilija St., Ojai

COST: free

INFO: (805) 646-3755 or https://bartsbooksojai.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Castle Collection Coming – With today’s opening of The Private Universe of James Castle, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art hosts the first Southern California exhibition of Castle’s work, featuring 90 of the most beautiful and accomplished drawings created by the self-taught artist. The show highlights Castle’s remarkable technical skills and attempts to foster a better understanding of his evocative and unconventional images, particularly his landscapes and architectural interior scenes, and places Castle in a larger artistic and cultural context while also exploring the imaginative innovations of the drawings mostly produced with soot from a woodstove and his saliva and rendered on scraps of found paper.

WHEN: Today-September 17

WHERE: 1130 State Street

COST: free with museum admission

INFO: (805) 963-4364 or www.sbma.net

Montecito

“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” — Bill Bradley

Summer Solstice Celebration

– Santa Barbara’s biggest, most home-grown, and organic event started as a small celebratory birthday parade for a popular artist and mime named Michael Gonzales. Soon the parade joined forces with a music festival staged at the Sunken Gardens to mark the arrival of summer and the longest day of the year. It wasn’t long though before the parade and festival became a huge celebration, attracting more than 100,000 spectators. The crowds – mostly locals but also those from around the world – are drawn to the creative and original displays of floats, giant puppets, whimsical costumes, and masks of more than 1,000 parade participants of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. Dancing, music, drumming, and drama enthralls everyone each year. Once again, the parade takes place on Santa Barbara Street, two blocks north of its State Street origins. The weekend gets started this afternoon at Alameda Park, kicking off three days of music, arts, food, and craft booths and a bountiful beer garden for boisterous fun. Tonight’s lineup includes such stalwarts as David Segall, GrooveShine, and headliner Rey Fresco; tomorrow’s post-parade roster boasts The Voice veteran Will Breman and his band, perennial party band favorites like Area 51, and a closing set from tribute band Petty, Set, Go. Sunday afternoon’s summer-y sampler involves island sounds including a closing set from reggae regulars Cornerstone.

WHEN: Tonight-Sunday

WHERE: Downtown Santa Barbara

COST: free

INFO: (805) 965-3396 or www.solsticeparade.com

MONDAY, JUNE 26

Lucinda Lane Lands – One of the most charming bands in the catalog of local entertainment scribe, author, and prolific musician/record company owner Joe Woodard (Headless Household; flapping, Flapping) returns to SOhO for what is being billed as their first gig since the pandemic. Dubbed (by Woodard) “IndieBossaJazzTwang,” Lucinda Lane’s signature sound comes from the core combination of songwriter-guitarist Woodard’s tunes with singer Nicole Lvoff’s smooth and smoky vocals, ably aided this time around by an all-star local lineup of bassist Randy Tico, drummer Austin Beede, accordionist Brett Larsen, and saxophonist John Schnackenberg, with harmony vocals by Liz Barnitz. Get an early listen to songs likely to show up on LL’s long-awaited forthcoming debut album. Larsen, Barnitz, and singer-guitarist Liz Caruso also team up to open the show with threepart harmonies covering a jumble of genres under the name of Paper Moon.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: 1221 State St., upstairs in Victoria Court

COST: $10

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

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Brett is Back – Facing Ourselves Presents – a new series at Patricia Clarke Studio designed to inspire meaningful conversations and passion about our shared world – debuts with a photography pop-up and talk by Brett Leigh Dicks

The native Aussie spent more than a decade in Santa Barbara before returning to the land Down Under several years ago, but is back in town to show and discuss a selection of his recent work from Australia. Among the featured pieces are an exposé undertaken for The New York Times on the eccentric underground desert town of Coober Pedy, his recent Lunch Bars series examining these uniquely Western Australian working-class culinary curios, a documentation of remote outback communities for the State Library of Western Australia, and more.

WHEN: 3-6 pm

WHERE: 410 Palm Avenue, Carpinteria

COST: By donation

INFO: www.facingourselves.org/events/brett-leigh-dicks

ESTATE/SENIOR SERVICES MOVING MISS DAISY

Art Gallery Assistant. Experience in Sales. Saturday Availability. 30 hours per month. Mac Familiar. Call 805-729-8454

PHYSICAL TRAINING & THERAPY

Stillwell Fitness of Santa Barbara

REVERSE MORTGAGES

ATTENTION SENIORS!!! IS A REVERSE MORTGAGE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Access the equity in your home today

• No monthly mortgage payments

• You retain title to your home

• Lump sum or monthly distributions

Full Service SAFE Senior Relocation and Estate Liquidation Services Including: Packing and Unpacking, Estate Sales, Online Auctions and our own Consignment Shop! We are Licensed, Bonded, Liability Insured, Workers Comped, Certified by The National Assoc Of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) and The American Society of Estate Liquidators (ASEL).

Glenn Novack, Owner. 805-770-7715 info@movingmissdaisy.com MovingMissDaisy.com Consignments@MovingMissDaisy.hibid.com

The Clearing House LLC

In Home Personal Training Sessions for 65+ Help with: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Motivation, and Consistency

John Stillwell, CPT, Specialist in Senior Fitness 805-705-2014 StillwellFitness.com

GOT OSTEOPOROSIS? WE CAN HELP

At OsteoStrong our proven non-drug protocol takes just ten minutes once a week to improve your bone density and aid in more energy, strength, balance and agility. Please call for a complimentary session! Call Now (805) 453-6086

• All inquiries are strictly confidential

Gayle Nagy

805-448-9224

Gayle@dmfsb.com

NMLS # 251258 / Company NMLS # 12007

Direct Mortgage Funding

Santa Barbara

Equal Housing Lender

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

FINE ART SALE

Paintings by Santa Barbara artists from an important Montecito estate offered privately for sale.

Hank Pitcher; Howard Warshaw, Joan Tanner, Marge Dunlap, etc. Serious inquiries only. www.auctionliaison.com; call or text Leslie Westbrook (805) 565-3726.

Available July 1. Lovely little cottage with charming, enclosed patio For one person. Within walking distance to Coast Village Road And Butterfly Beach. Complete kitchen, air conditioner, heater, freshly painted. All utilities included plus WiFi Off street parking, no pets, no smoker 2,500.00 monthly, Security deposit $500.00. Call 805-969-9857.

Leave name and number to reach you.

OBITUARY WRITER

I can help you craft a warm and comprehensive obituary for your loved one. I am a journalist and magazine writer with 25 years of experience. My work has been published in national magazines and literary journals. Contact Izzy at izzywrites59@gmail.com

AUTOMOBILES WANTED

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

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

KNIFE SHARPENING SERVICES

EDC Mobile Sharpening is a locally owned and operated in Santa Barbara. We specialize in (No-Entry) House Calls, Businesses and Special Events.

Recognized as the area’s Premier Estate Liquidators - Experts in the Santa Barbara Market! We are Skilled Professionals with Years of Experience in Downsizing and Estate Sales. Personalized service. Insured. Call for a complimentary consultation. Elaine (805)708-6113

Christa (805)450-8382

Email: theclearinghouseSB@cox.net

Website: www.theclearinghouseSB.com

TRESOR

We Buy, Sell and Broker Important Estate Jewelry. Located in the upper village of Montecito. Graduate Gemologists with 30 years of experience. We do free evaluations and private consultation. 1470 East Valley Rd Suite V. 805 969-0888

POSITION WANTED

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Organize receipts for taxes, pay bills, write checks, reservations, scheduling. Confidential. Semi-retired professional. Excellent references. Sandra (805) 636-3089

Trusted, Experienced Caregiver, CA State registered and background checked. Vaccinated. Loving and caring provides transportation, medications, etc. Lina 650-281-6492

CAREGIVERS NEEDED - PROVIDE ONE ON ONE CARE TO SENIOR IN THE COMFORT OF HER HOME WHILE ASSISTING WITH DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES.

Requirements - A kind, patient, caring heart & driver.

Pay: $25-30 per hr & 5 days a Week

Email me at ( andyctrangegrading@gmail. com ) for more details about the job.

TUTORING SERVICE

Need help with your homework? Having trouble in Computer Science, Spanish or Math? Math (Elementary school to College Algebra), Spanish conversation. Software consultant since 2000 for Truven Health Analytics, an IBM company in Santa Barbara, CA. Proud parent of graduate students of Laguna Blanca, CATE School, Stanford University. Jesús Álvarez | 805-453-5516 mytutor29@hotmail.com

REAL ESTATE WANTED TO BUY

Local Fixer Upper Wanted!!

Priv. Pty. wants rough single home or up to 4 units NOW! via lease @ option or seller will finan. Great credit! No Agents 805-455-1420

ITEMS FOR SALE

For sale!!

Priceless Lao tzu 7’x4’ Brian805smith@gmail.com

AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Montecito, Santa Barbara, Ca

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

Bob 310-472-0870

Luxury Montecito Oceanview condo. 2 bedroom 2.5 bath Bonnymede walking distance to Butterfly Beach, The Biltmore, Coral Casino, Rosewood Miramar Beach and all the shops, dining amenities that Coast Village Road has to offer. Pool, spa, tennis court. Short/Long Term Lease. Text 805-276-9292

Furnished $10,500 Monthly.

Montecito Oceanview Furnished Apartment. Walking distance Rosewood. 2 bedroom + 2 bath furnished. Short/Long Lease considered. $7,500 includes utilities & parking. Text (805)276-9292

$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

It’s Simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters.

Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2:00PM the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex

Call 805-696-0525 to schedule an appointment.

TILE RESTORATION

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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

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

Thomas Richter