Save the Sea Life!

Honor Rolle – The MLK, Jr. committee and representative offices celebrate and award photographer Rod Rolle for his 40+ year career, P.14 Reproductive Justice – This UCSB committee is protecting students’ reproductive health, rights, and justice, P.18

‘Contempt’ – How does Godard’s iconic 1963 movie (coming to the Riviera in 4K) relate to the WGA/SAG strike? Find out inside. P.20

Travel Montage – Take a trip to Laguna Beach and discover the stunning and relaxing ways to enjoy the luxury hotel, Montage, P.29

The Giving List

SERVING MONTECITO AND SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA

www.montecitojournal.net

SING! For the Children

The children’s choir prepares for its Lobero show and the world premiere of a commissioned piece by Nia Imani Franklin, page 6

In Class With a Glass

Organic Soup Kitchen opens its new center to serve up even more of its nutritious SoupMeals, page 24 See

Wine and travel writer Jamie Knee leads the way on these new classes that explore our local wine regions at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, page 30

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Harmful Algae Blooms – As domoic acid levels are increasing, so are the numbers of dead sea animals washing up on shores. Here is what is being done and how to help.

This Week at MA – Francisco J. Núñez and the SING! Children’s Choir present a world premiere of a commissioned piece by Nia Imani Franklin, plus upcoming events

Montecito Miscellany – La bohème at the Lobero, some Fieldside Fiesta fun, Lis Wiehl at the MClub, and more

A Night in the Chamber – An evening at the Music Academy’s Lehmann Hall leads to a medley of melodies and emotions

Tide Guide

Our Town – It’s not every day one gets a minor planet named after them; in fact, it’s about every three years there’s an asteroid christening and this scientist just received his own eponymous one

Society Invites – Rod Rolle receives recognition for his legacy of photographic contributions

Brilliant Thoughts – The endless search through time and media for who we are, and not just why or what we are

Dear Montecito – Cassidy Miller of UCSB’s Students for Reproductive Justice discusses the committee and why every campus across the world should have one

Reel Fun – It’s desire, contempt, and themes still relevant today in the iconic 1963 film by Jean-Luc Godard that is coming soon to the Riviera

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The Giving List – Organic Soup Kitchen and its new Distribution and Education Center serves the community a bowl of health and wellness

On Entertainment – The theaters are just warming up this summer and here is a plethora of plays to see

Your Westmont – Stargazers will get an out-of-this world view at the observatory; athletics enters a new era of competition in NCAA DII; and a former coach returns to lead men’s tennis

The Optimist Daily – Count the ways that math-based board games can help child development – it’s scientifically proven

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Travel Buzz – It’s rooms with a (different) ocean view at Montage Laguna Beach; take a peek at the meals and amenities adorning the exotic spot

Wine Country Classes – These upcoming classes at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara will take novices and experts alike through the AVAs of the surrounding areas

Calendar of Events – A slew of summer tunes and Beach (Boys) vibes, T.C. Boyle speaks and reads from his latest, Downtown SB brings the beer, and more

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

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

Photography: @virtourmedia

Harmful Algae Blooms

Domoic Acid Crisis Drives Sea Lion and Dolphin Deaths: Local Organization Rescues

Record-Breaking 85 Sea Lions in June

In the early hours of a Saturday morning on Butterfly Beach, a small crowd gathers. The focus of their attention is brown, unmoving, and looks to be a large rock or piece of driftwood. But closer inspection reveals flippers, whiskers, snout, and a tail. It’s the daily casualty in the domoic acid crisis that began June 8: a female sea lion about three years of age. Nearby, a sea lion yearling lies closer to Channel Drive, his head slung over the rocks dotting the shore. On Miramar Beach there’s a dead dolphin and another female sea lion having active seizures; at Fernald Point a sick sea lion puppy and a dead adult sea lion, face half buried in the sand.

A mix of locals and tourists stare in disbelief with varying levels of distress rising among them. All had come to the beach for a walk in the sun now that the months-long June gloom had cleared, and they’ve been met instead with the collateral damage of an ocean and atmosphere that’s out of balance. “I’ve never seen anything like this, and I’ve lived here 40 years,” notes local resident Barbara Keyani, “It’s devastating to watch.”

Harmful Algae Blooms, a.k.a. ‘Red Tides’

Domoic acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid from an algae called pseudo-nitzschia, and it can act as a neurotoxin in certain animals. The shellfish and filter fish that feed on it might not be affected, but depending on where it hits in the food web and at what time, it can cause issues higher up the food chain, striking birds and marine mammals.

This particular harmful algae bloom, which began at the end of May, has hit dolphins and sea lions especially hard. Pregnant and nursing female sea lions are especially impacted due to the large amount of fish they eat to produce milk and sustain a pregnancy. More than 70,000 female sea lions come to the Channel Islands for pupping season every year, which peaks June 15, compounding the number of deaths.

The reasons for harmful algae blooms (HABs), as they’re known, are wide ranging and multi factorial. The two primary drivers of ocean imbalance are the changing pH balance and across the board warming of the waters themselves. Then there are natural ocean events like an underwater volcano, or ocean-wide shifts like El Niño, which officially arrived this June according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Add to this mix excess nutrients from human wastewater and agricultural runoff and ocean heat waves, which are increasing around the world. Cold water upwelling, normally a natural and beneficial ocean process, can exacerbate the conditions for HABs to thrive and bloom as well. Monica Thukral, a PhD student at UC San Diego who studies pseudo-nitzschia, describes it this way, “Just like there are wildfires that are natural burns, when you take the ecosystem out of balance, the fires happen more frequently and abundantly. It’s the same with these harmful algae blooms.”

On the Frontlines

The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) is the local organization that focuses on rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals in Santa Barbara and the Channel

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Rising domoic acid levels from harmful algae blooms have caused an influx of dead sea lions to wash up on shore (photo courtesy of CIMWI)

This Week at MA Let the Children SING!

by Steven Libowitz

The members of the Music Academy’s SING! children’s choir were part of the two triumphant performances of La bohème at the Granada Theatre last weekend. This Sunday afternoon, they’ll be back downtown as the stars of the show at the Lobero Theatre, once again joining forces with the Young People’s Chorus (YPC) of New York City, and even performing the world premiere of a piece written especially for the groups.

Santa Barbara’s year-long SING! program is based on the concept of YPC, which was founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow and Musical America’s 2018 Educator of the Year, with a mission and values deeply rooted in providing children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a unique program of music education and choral performance. The innovative program has become the model for such children’s ensembles around the world and has earned a ton of prizes, including three world championships and two additional gold medals at the World Choir Game in Korea earlier this month.

As part of the second year of collaboration between the organizations, the choirs will offer the world premiere of a commissioned piece by Nia Imani Franklin, a composer, actress, conductor, and singer from North Carolina whose music has been performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Friction Quartet, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and many others.

It’s the second work Franklin has created for kids at Núñez’s behest. It’s also no surprise as the composer started singing in church choirs herself at age four.

“Youth choirs have always played a big part in my passion for music, and had a special place in my heart,” she said.

Indeed, Franklin’s community initiative developed during her time as Miss America in 2018-19 is based around emphasizing the importance of an arts education, a platform she has only raised in the years since. (Coincidentally Franklin sang an aria from La bohème in the talent portion of the competition in Atlantic City.)

Franklin composed both the music and the lyrics for the new piece, called “Tides,” drawing inspiration from the famous poem “Still I Rise” by the late Maya Angelou to lend a hopeful focus to issues of the environment.

“A lot of my music deals with nature, and the environment has always really inspired me as an artist,” she said. “Children are aware of everything that’s happening, and it affects them deeply. But it was tricky to write because it is such a complex subject. I had the theme be about respect and gratitude for our planet and what we can do to show that gratitude. It just scratches the surface, but I’m really excited to work with the choir as we bring the piece to life.”

Franklin scored “Tides” for piano, flute, and rainstick, drawing on her own early memories for the latter acoustic instrument.

“My grandfather wasn’t a musician, but he had a rainstick in his house, about five feet long, which was a lot taller than I was at that age,” she recalled. “But I’d play with it all the time, and I can remember the sound of it, even having this conversation right now, those memories get unlocked. It kind of brings everything full circle for me.”

The Music Academy SING! children’s choir will join the Young People’s Chorus this weekend at the Lobero (photo by Zach Mendez)

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

Montecito Miscellany Past Schoolmate

Unlikely to Attend Class Reunion

Heuermann,” Billy wrote on Instagram. “Mind boggling.”

Mind boggling, indeed...

A New Setting for an Old Favorite

Italian composer Puccini’s beloved opera La bohème took on a whole new tone at the Granada as part of the Music Academy’s 76th annual Summer Festival.

Instead of Paris’ Latin Quarter in the 1830s, as in the original 1895 work, the setting was Brooklyn and Manhattan in 2011, a time of restless energy and a spirit of vigorous protest that led to the 59-day long Occupy Wall Street movement against wealth disparity and earning inequality.

Principal conductor Daniela Candillari, music director of the Opera Theatre in Saint Louis, was in top form for the highly entertaining production with original staging by Mo Zhou, who directed three previous productions of the masterpiece, the fourth most performed opera in the world.

Soprano Angela Lamar and tenor Luke Norvell as the two lovers, along with cast members Kylie Kreucher, Navasard Hakobyan, Alex Granito, Jared Werlein, and Peter Barber, were all superb, not to mention the SING! children’s choristers.

Of particular interest to me, having lived in Manhattan for 25 years, were

by Richard Mineards

Montecito actor Billy Baldwin got a considerable shock with a blast from the past this week. He has revealed he went to school with accused New York mass murderer Rex Heuermann, 59, the alleged serial killer of 10 women on a barren stretch of Long

Island coastline nearly 13 years ago, who was snared by DNA from a slice of pizza.

Both attended Berner High School in Massapequa with Billy, 60, in the class of 1989.

His older brother Alec also attended the school, graduating in 1976.

“Woke up this morning to learn the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect was my high school classmate Rex

PRICES PRICESAGAIN!SLASHED AGAIN!SLASHED AGAIN!

Billy Baldwin (center, right) recently remembered one of his high school classmates (photo by Priscilla)

The Music Academy brought a new take on classic La bohème (photo by Zach Mendez)

A Night in the Chamber

Coleman, Prokofiev, and Mendelssohn

Tear the Roof Off

by Jeff Wing

“The Music Academy.” This definite article and two modest nouns scarcely hint at what’s crouching in the woods near Butterfly Beach. My ex-girlfriend (or “wife” in the common parlance) and I attended the third Chamber Night event at the Music Academy’s Lehmann Hall on an otherwise mellow Wednesday evening. Part of the Music Academy’s annual Summer Festival, the implicit promise was an evening of exacting technical performance of pieces by Sergei Prokofiev, Felix Mendelssohn, and Valerie Coleman – a Russian modernist, a doomed late Romantic German, and a revered, globe-hopping flutist/ composer from Louisville. This curiously mixed bag of fine sonic art in fact presented as a stunning, singular burst of joy, Lehmann’s cozy, acoustically pristine parlor the perfect setting for an evening of immersive marvel, the dusky blue Pacific just glimpsable through a window behind the bandstand.

Coleman’s piece opened. Following flutist Jarrett May’s charming introduction, “Red Clay & Mississippi Delta” seamlessly achieved the implausible, marrying classical, blues, and a liberal seasoning of jazz over the course of a variously raucous and melodious five-plus minutes. Composer Coleman is herself flutist/founder – in 1997 – of globally celebrated quintet, Imani Winds, and that ensemble’s reputation for pushing boundaries is reflected in Coleman’s “Red Clay ” May’s lyrical flute, Kara Poling’s oboe, Micah Northam’s horn, Sara Bobrow’s bassoon, and Triniti Rives’ wailing clarinet worked in miraculous synchrony, the sprightly score seeming at times to pirouette formlessly away in woodland sunlight; only to have the

musicians stop on a dime and – as one apparent mind – strike off in a new direction. That these amazing players are students is nearly mind boggling.

Prokofiev’s “Quintet in G minor, Op. 39” was a journey over six distinct movements. Some of Prokofiev’s more modernist fare can be said to employ patience-testing harmonic innovations, described by violist Joshua Kail in his soft-spoken intro as “…difficult for us to play as it may be for you to listen to”; a good-natured warning to which the audience responded with appreciative laughter. The effect, though, was transforming – the stridency of the piece colored and softened by the visibly passionate immersion of these incredible Music Academy fellows in their art. Kail on viola was joined by Eder Rivera, oboe; Besnik Abrashi, clarinet; Hajung Cho, violin; and Ruth Christopher, whose majestic double bass would periodically cut through the modernist tempest with deep, clarion, bowed notes as suddenly

distinct and stirring as a fog horn’s promise of home.

Alexander Wu’s very personal intro to Mendelssohn’s “Piano Trio #1 in D minor, Op. 49” brought stinging tears to the eyes, reminding this listener that the musical pedagogy in evidence is at one with the heart-powered family histories that have united these young masters in Lehmann Hall this evening. Mendelssohn’s piece, variously mellifluous and dense, saw Mr. Wu swinging his head around to fleetingly grin at his two colleagues – Steven Song on violin (whose emotive concentration missed most of Wu’s delighted attempts at communication), and Szuyu Su on meticulous grand piano, her racing hands at times producing a silvery fusillade of notes as luminous and happy-making as sea spray. Mr. Wu’s occasional earnest glimpses skyward during the performance added another affecting hint of deep personal backstory to the performance. The piece’s triumphant closing barely preceded the spontaneous explosion of applause and shouting that followed.

Don’t miss the next opportunity to be part of the magic. On Wednesday, July 26, the Summer Festival Chamber Series will feature Ernő Dohnányi’s “Sextet in C Major, Op. 37,” and Robert Schumann’s “Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44.”

MONTECITO TIDE GUIDE

May all art continue to flow from the human animal’s imperfect capacity for love and mercy (to paraphrase the great Brian Wilson ). As our bewildered culture giddily leaps aboard the Artificial Everything bandwagon, the Music Academy’s impassioned creatives are our common hope for a future where imaginative beauty is still powered by yearning flesh-and-blood. No pressure, kids.

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

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

Gossip | Richard Mineards

History | Hattie Beresford

Humor | Ernie Witham

Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri

Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook

Food & Wine | Claudia Schou, Melissa Petitto, Gabe Saglie

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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.

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An impassioned evening swirling between winds, strings, and reeds (photo by Emma Matthews)

the scenes of Christmas in Union Square, just a short walk from my Gramercy Park apartment, and dinner at Balthazar, one of my favorite eateries.

Fond memories....

Fieldside Fiesta Bash

Society gadabout Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey Nowak, bubbly founder of the La Boheme dance company, hosted their 4th annual Viva La Fiesta bash at Fieldside, the popular Santa Barbara Polo Club restaurant, for 200 gloriously garbed guests.

The fun fête featured Teresa’s colorful dancers who led our Eden by the Beach’s Summer Solstice parade, and honored Fiesta El Presidente David Bolton

Standing: Rodolfo and Ana Luisa Rios, Primer Caballero Gonzalo Sarmiento, 2023 El Presidente David Bolton, hosts Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey Nowak; Seated: Joe Dalo, Dana Mazzetti, Peter Hilf, and Hillary Slevin (photo by Priscilla)

An absolute cavalcade of entertainers performed before La Boheme’s energetic finale with ubiquitous KEYT TV reporter John Palminteri emceeing, including singers from Opera Santa Barbara, ballroom dancers Vasily Golovin and Jatila van der Veen, salsa sensation Erika Martin del Campo, the Garcia Fiesta Pequeña group, the Spirit of Fiesta Jack Harwood, 19, and Junior Spirit Olivia Grace Nelson, 10.

Among the flurry of fiesta fans turning out were Peter Hilf, Gretchen Lieff, Robert Adams, Dana Hansen, Chris and Mindy Denson, Howard Jay Smith, Stephanie Petlow , Denise Sanford , Saint Barbara Lisa Osborn, Fritz and Miscellany Page 294

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The performing artists at Viva La Fiesta (photo by Priscilla)

El Presidente David Bolton and Primer Caballero Gonzalo Sarmiento with hosts Teresa Kuskey Nowak and Rick Oshay (photo by Priscilla)

Our Town

Senior Scientist Tim Lister PhD Has Minor Planet Named After Him

by Joanne A Calitri

At the 14th Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conference on June 18-23 held in Flagstaff, Arizona, astrophysics scientist Tim Lister PhD, who works at the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) in Goleta, was awarded for his life’s work in the field with the naming of an asteroid, also known as a minor planet, after him. The meeting, of which NASA is one of the sponsors, was attended by Lister and his peers, like Peter Jenniskens PhD (Carl Sagan Center of the SETI Institute and the NASA Ames Research Center), William F. Bottke PhD (Southwest Research Institute Boulder), and Richard Binzel PhD (MIT).

Not one for making a fuss of his credentials, Lister casually mentioned the award when he returned to LCO. Development Director Dr. Sandy Seale properly decided this is newsworthy, emailed me, and we set up an interview with photo-op at his office.

I arrived at LCO to find Lister his usual cool and casual self, at his desk

quietly working on his projects. Last we talked was January this year about Comet C2023 E3 (ZTF), and his tips for tracking and viewing the phenomenon (see MJ Feb 2-9, 2023).

I congratulated him and asked him to pull up a view of his planet on his computer monitors. He blushed a thanks, and found it here for our readers:

(33933) Timlister = 2000 LE29

Discovery of the asteroid: 2000-06-09 / LONEOS / Anderson Mesa / 699

A little more about Lister: Tim Lister (b. 1975) is a British senior scientist at the LCO that has discovered dozens of asteroids and performed follow-up observations for hundreds more. He is a member of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Investigation Team, making observations of the light curve and tail evolution of the Didymos system.

Next, we dove in for the full story of this epic event in our solar system, how planets are named, his current and upcoming projects, and the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs!

Q. How did the award come about?

A. This happened June 18-23 at the world-wide meeting of planetary scientists who study comets, asteroids, and meteorites titled, The 14th Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conference. Approximately 550 scientists attended this year.

The meeting is every three years. One of the meeting’s traditions is at the conference banquet, they honor people with their name on an asteroid. Usually, it is about 20 scientists getting named. This year, to

Where possibilities become possible

make up for the missed meeting due to the pandemic, there were 96 named.

What is the selection criteria for naming a planet after a scientist?

Basically, it is recognition by one’s peers who work in the field. My name, along with a lot of people who worked on the NASA DART, were put forward to the minor planet naming database, and we all were honored.

There are 1.3 million asteroids discovered to date, 24,000 are named, and only a few thousand are named after “alive” people.

Did you know prior of the honor?

No, in this case no one knows, not even who you work for and with. When my name was announced, I was very shocked and honored. It is very nice to be recognized as someone who deserves an asteroid name. It was very cool.

Is that minor planet named after you forever?

[Laughs] Yes, forever, as long as my asteroid is not smashed by another in the asteroid belt, and we are still tracking it!

How did they select which asteroid to name after you?

Because the meeting was in Flagstaff in conjunction with the Lowell Observatory, all the asteroids that were

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Astrophysicist and asteroid specialist Tim Lister (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Society Invites

Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee

Honors Photographer Rod Rolle

Annell and Dr. Earl Stewart; guests Chris Johnson, RJ, Frances Moore, Taylor Johnson, Michael and JoAnne Young, John Higgins, Dr. Gregory Freeland, Ademola Oyewole-Davis, Miriam Dance, and SB City Council person Oscar Gutierrez.

MKLSB’s President E. onja Brown and Vice President Isaac Garrett welcomed the guests to celebrate the organization’s history and Rolle’s work for them. Brown acknowledged the local politicians present, and thanked the event sponsors: Healing Justice SB, Guy R. Walker of Wealth Management Strategies, and Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni. Brown provided a brief on Rolle’s photographic career spanning four decades, from 1975 in New York City through his education at Brooks Institute of Photography, and covering his historic journalism photographs distributed by Getty Images and SIPA USA, which sold to over 300 media outlets worldwide; his famous photograph of Michael Jackson, which won a Getty Images 2004 selection; his 2022 SBIFF images in Variety Magazine; his many art exhibitions, and his images for MLKSB. Rolle’s recent projects include developing a catalog of lighting recipes for headshots and portraits using Set-A-Light 3D V2.5 software and Avatar models. Brown shared, “Thank you for your belief in our mission, which allowed us to make a difference in the lives of many individuals. We thank Rod Rolle, whose images

Society Page 224

by Joanne A Calitri

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara (MLKSB) held a celebration on Friday, July 14 to honor its official documentary photographer of 16 years, Rod Rolle, along with the exhibit of commemorative banners displaying 36 key photographs spanning 2008 to the present. The event took place at Soul Bites restaurant on State Street.

The soirée was packed and upbeat, with many friends of Rolle and the MLKSB including its Board of Directors Betsy Shelby, Dr. Jamece Brown, Juliet Velarde Betita, Anita Blume, John Douglas; Board Members Beverly King, Guy R. Walker,

The MLKSB Committee honors Rod Rolle (seated center) (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Rod Rolle receives a Congressional Certificate from Congressman Salud Carbajal, presented by Carbajal’s staff (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

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Brilliant Thoughts The Crowded Self

by Ashleigh Brilliant

Have you ever asked yourself “Who Am I?” Probably not – or at least, not very often. Identity is one of the few things we are all pretty sure of. We may wonder WHAT we are, and WHY we are – but WHO we are is a question that hardly troubles us. After all, we each have a name and a face which are officially registered, and are recorded on various government documents, including, of course, drivers’ licenses, passports, and birth certificates. Then there are fingerprints and eyescans, and all kinds of other proofs of our individual uniqueness.

But within this “self,” many authorities in the realm of Psychology have detected numerous personalities, which sometimes seem to be at war with each other. Creators of fictitious characters, from Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to The Three faces of Eve have had a jolly time exploring the idea of multiple Selves.

However, there is no need to go to literature to find some of the other You’s hidden inside you. For one thing, there’s the dimension of Memory. Whoever you remember being is also part of who you are, even if you consider yourself as no longer that person. But this introduces the much deeper dimension of Time . From the moment of birth – and actually some months before – you have been changing. Your life has been lived in segments, which are rather arbitrarily assigned such names as infancy, childhood, adolescence, maturity, middle age, and old age – and you are supposedly transitioning from one to the next, while being hardly aware of the changes. Time gives us a new and different self every day – or actually every second or nanosecond.

Shakespeare, in As You Like It , has human life divided into “Seven Ages,” in a speech that begins “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Shakespeare himself, of course, in addition to writing plays, was also an actor – so it would have been quite natural for him to think of life in theatrical terms. But why that particular number? Well, seven has always seemed to have magical qualities – hence the Seven Seas, Seven Wonders of the World, and the Seven Deadly Sins. But although he says “all the men and women,” his characters are all very masculine – from the “whining Schoolboy,” through the tumultuous Soldier and the Justice, to the very old Pantaloon. Women get scarcely a mention, except that the Lover is described as making a woeful ballad “to his mistress’ eyebrow.”

One of the nastiest poems I know decries the unpleasant truth that we are what not only Time but, more pertinently, our parents have made us – and what their parents made them. It is by Philip Larkin, who at one time was actually the British Poet Laureate, and is called “This Be The Verse.” There are only three stanzas – this is the last one:

Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf. Get out as early as you can, And don’t have any kids yourself.

But, when I was a kid myself (before I didn’t have any), like most other kids I knew, I had a great interest in “Comic Books,” many of which featured so-called “Super Heroes,” who usually had dual identities. The trend was started by Superman, who came into existence when I was four years old. His super-powers are explained by the fact that he came, as a baby, from another planet. But they are disguised by his alternate identity as a journalist named Clark Kent.

There was another Super Hero named Captain Marvel, whom I actually preferred to Superman. His alter ego was a boy radio reporter named Billy Batson, who had discovered that he could acquire superpowers by uttering the magic word “SHAZAM.”

But, although, in sales, Captain Marvel had become the more popular, the reason people stopped hearing much about him was that – believe it or not – Captain Marvel was actually killed by Superman. It was all done quite legally. The publishers of Superman, DC comics, sued the publishers of Captain Marvel, Fawcett Comics, for copyright infringement, claiming the characters were too similar. They were indeed much alike in powers, costumes, and the dual identities. Superman won the case, and Captain Marvel disappeared from stores.

Very sad for his fans – because, as one of my own (copyrighted) epigrams put it:

I need my heroes more than I need to know the disillusioning truth about them.

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.

Angie Huff, Architect

LYNCH CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Dear Montecito Students for Reproductive Justice at UCSB

by Stella Haffner

This week I spoke to Cassidy Miller, one of the publicity coordinators of UCSB’s Students for Reproductive Justice committee, to learn more about how students promote health care advocacy and reproductive rights on campus.

Q. What does Students for Reproductive Justice do?

A. Students for Reproductive Justice is a subcommittee of the UCSB Associated Students’ human rights board. Our mission is to create advocacy efforts and educate students regarding issues related to reproductive justice.

What falls under the category of “reproductive justice”?

We distinguish between reproductive health, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice. Reproductive health is the direct services provided by a medical provider or relating to someone’s sexual or reproductive health. Reproductive rights focus on things that occur legally, such as keeping abortion legal, talking about sex education, and family planning – but reproductive justice is specifically advocacy relating to the basic human right to bodily autonomy.

Since you have been on this committee for a couple years, would you say your understanding of reproductive justice has changed since you started?

think it’s heartbreaking that people don’t know what their options are or even come from states where they don’t have options at all when it comes to abortion, for example.

I think being able to have a group of people who maybe aren’t experts but they’re passionate and driven to fight for reproductive justice is important. I think every campus across the country, across the world, needs to have a mission relating to reproductive justice because it’s real. Family planning and having a child or not having a child is something that impacts every single person on earth, and it really impacts the half of the population that has a uterus and has the ability to become pregnant. I think it’s huge, especially on a college campus. It would be ignorant to say that people aren’t having sex because people have sex. It’s crucial to teach them how to do it safely and in a respectful manner.

If you had to summarize based on current events, what either frustrates you or makes you the most pessimistic?

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I initially learned about reproductive justice in a feminist studies lecture. I got to write a paper on the maternal mortality rates and the discrepancies between black and white women, and I learned a lot about reproductive justice through that research. However, now that I’ve been a part of Students for Reproductive Justice, I find that I learn something new during every weekly meeting. The conversation surrounding reproductive justice is huge, especially in politics right now. We have made it a point at every weekly meeting to have someone do research on an article relating to new bills that have been proposed or some other reproductive justice-related topic to continue to build our team’s understanding of reproductive justice and stay informed.

What would you say is the importance of having a committee that is so tuned into current events on campus?

I think especially as someone who is female-identifying, being informed about conversations happening by people in power has been crucial to how I live my day-to-day life. It is disheartening to know that a lot of people, including people on the board of Students for Reproductive Justice, come from backgrounds with little to no sex education, and they just have to learn on their own as they become an adult. I

Connecting my own story here, I grew up in a religious background. When I was 12 years old, I was told to come to the front of the stage where worship music was playing and was asked to commit to abstinence until marriage. I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t know really anything about my body at that point in time, and yet I was a young person being influenced to do something I didn’t understand. When I look at the people in power right now, the privileged often cishet white men, I feel really, really sad for my younger self who was raised according to these ideals without being able to make my own decision. What it means to understand my period, understand sex, understand whether I want to have sex and at what age, whether or not I would consider an abortion… all these are things I had to learn on my own. Because of this, it is really disheartening to see the way our political system is set up and gives a voice to people who advocate for the sort of experience I had when growing up. I will say, on the opposite end of things, I am so inspired by the young people who are sticking up for themselves and their right to be educated on all these topics because they understand the importance of knowing your body and how it works. It is very inspiring to see that we as a generation aren’t letting these old, white men in power get away with this any longer.

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

Reel Fun

by Christopher Matteo Connor

French film critic André Bazin’s quote is spoken by Jean-Luc Godard in the opening credits of his film Contempt. A camera crew tracks along towards us, until the camera itself nearly films the frame. It tilts down and turns its lens on us.

What if the line between desire and contempt is thinner than we think?

Godard’s 1963 film is about the slow breakdown of a marriage between Paul, a screenwriter played by Michel Piccoli, and his wife Camille, the timeless blonde bombshell Brigitte Bardot. Paul has been tasked to revitalize a film adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey helmed by the German film titan Fritz Lang, who effortlessly and charmingly plays himself. But wedged between Paul and Camille is the money hungry, hit seeking, art destroying American producer Jeremy Prokosch. Through a series of unfortunate miscommunications, Paul pushes his wife into the hands of the grimy Jeremy, causing Camille to detest her husband.

Based on the book by Alberto Moravia, Contempt is a breathtaking film, shot on CinemaScope with bright bold colors, with blues and reds featuring prominently, as is often the case with Godard’s ‘60s flicks. The vast beauty of Capri’s coast lies in stark contrast to the marriage tragically being laid to waste.

But the movie is just as much about the failing of a marriage as it is about the breakdown of cinema as an art form. In Godard’s view, there can be no fulfilling relationship between art and commerce. And the American producer is to blame, a loathsome man who writes checks on the backs of his women assistants.

While this may be Godard’s most formal, conventional, and accessible film (at least on the surface), it wouldn’t be a Godard film without some serious self-reflection and metatextuality. He’s clearly commenting on the movie-making business of which he is a part. It’s a very apt time to re-release this French masterpiece, given the parallels between the industry then and now.

Another quote: “Cinema is an invention without a future.” It’s a quote by Louis Lumière, one half of the Lumière brothers, key figures in the invention of the movies. And it’s placed prominently on a wall in a screening room where the American producer has an absolute fit. The film isn’t commercial enough!

It’s a quote that now feels ominously prescient – just as true today as when it was said over one hundred years ago, when cinema was seen as a money-making novelty, not an art form.

Forget the drawn-out discourse regarding the Marvel-ification of everything and a cinema increasingly dominated by brands. Just consider the current WGA and SAG strikes and the quotes from the conveniently anonymous and comically evil studio executives whose stated strategy is to break writers to hold out until those on strike will have no money left and will face losing their homes. A statement that would have serious implications for thousands of people, including members of our own community here in Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Or think about the actors who are facing the existential threat of AI. For a couple hundred bucks, you can stand in a room, get a full body scan, and the studios will be able to use your likeness from now until eternity, without you ever seeing another dime. Then there are the recent comments from Steven Spielberg where he predicts

that an implosion of the industry is on the horizon, sentiments backed by his pal George Lucas. Two titans of the blockbuster are worried, to say the least. As the industry is structured now, with all these existential problems, is there a future for cinema as we know it today? These discussions go beyond art vs. commerce, but they are intertwined.

Back to desire. If cinema reflects our desires, is this what we as viewers want?

In a recent New Yorker article, Jeremy Barber, the agent for Greta Gerwig –the director of the much-anticipated Barbie movie set to open in just a few days – commented on the reality that creatives exist in a time where most of the opportunities to flex their chops are with mass-produced products. “If that’s what people will consume, then let’s make it more interesting, more complicated.”

Sure, that’s great. As an adult, I’d rather watch a more nuanced Barbie movie rather than a cartoon made for my two-year-old niece. But at the heart of that comment is the assumption that this is what the people want to consume, not the fact that it’s all the risk-averse studios are feeding us.

It’s the chicken and the egg. What comes first? Our desire for IP content or the IP content itself? Are the studios ultimately shaping our desire, feeding to us repackaged things that we are already familiar with? Remember this saying:

Familiarity breeds contempt. Is it a stretch to think that the commodification of our cinematic desires will also breed contempt? The producer in Contempt is not so unlike these anonymous studio heads.

You may be asking, isn’t this supposed to be a review for the Jean-Luc Godard classic? Yes! But would it really be a review for a Godard film if one doesn’t go on rants and tangents and engage critically with the ideas explicit in the film? I’m just trying to make Godard proud (RIP).

Okay, fine! Back to the movie. You should absolutely go see it. It’s compelling, thought-provoking, down-right gorgeous, and one of my favorite films by the French master of cinema. And it’s a perfect follow up to the SBIFF’s French Wave Film Festival. Plus, those reds and blues absolutely pop with the new 4K restoration. While you’re at it, go to Tecolote Book Shop and buy the novel on which it’s based. That too is excellent. A perfect read for anyone going through a breakup. Especially someone in their early-20s. Not speaking from experience or anything…

But in the end, I can’t help but to hear another quote reverberating in my head:

“You may be right, but when it comes to making movies, dreams aren’t enough.”

Was it a character in the movie or a studio executive who said that? Hm, at this point, I can’t remember…

‘Contempt’ by Jean-Luc Godard (1963)

“Cinema shows us a world that fits our desires.”

The 60th Anniversary 4K Restoration of Contempt will play at the Riviera Theatre from July 21 – 27.

Christopher Matteo Connor is a writer and filmmaker. When he isn’t writing, watching movies, and working on projects, you can be sure he’s somewhere enjoying a big slice of vegan pizza.

2023-2024 Series Subscriptions on Sale Now!

Jazz series

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Jacob Collier

Sun, Oct 1 / 7 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

Samara Joy A Joyful Holiday

Featuring The McLendon Family

Fri, Dec 8 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre

Blue Note Records

85th Anniversary Celebration

Starring The Blue Note Quintet

Featuring Gerald Clayton, Immanuel Wilkins, Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott and Matt Brewer

Thu, Feb 8 / 8 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

Herbie Hancock

Wed, Apr 17 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre

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Opening Night!

“Your favorite artist’s favorite artist.”

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“Hancock shows that it is possible to play the same songs for over 40 years and still find meaning within the notes, stretching and bending them into new shapes.”

The Guardian (U.K.)

View the full 2023-2024 lineup at ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu Single tickets on sale August 4 at 10 AM

The New York Times

inspired people to believe in our cause and have a lasting effect.”

Shelby read a proclamation from MLKSB for Rolle and presented him with a plaque.

Rolle was then honored with a Congressional Certificate from Congressman Salud Carbajal presented by Carbajal’s staff person, and a Certificate from Santa Barbara County Supervisor Das Williams presented by his staff person for Rolle’s historic body of photographs for the MLKSB organization, Santa Barbara County, and its public legacy for the same. Overcome with all the honors, Rolle humbly thanked the MLKSB Committee, and everyone for their acknowledgments of his work. He shared special thanks for his partner, Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, who was not able to attend.

After the program, the MLKSB committee with Rolle took time for photographs by yours truly for our readers. Additional program notes are in the videos, which will be with this story on the MJ website and MJ YouTube Channel.

The MJ joins in thanking Rod Rolle for his generous photographic contributions of the history of our town and especially of the work of the MLKSB Committee.

411: https://mlksb.org

https://rodrolle.photoshelter.com/index

numbered and discovered by the Lowell Observatory at Anderson Mesa Station were chosen for the awards.

My asteroid, discovered in June 2000, is a main belt asteroid. It is part of the main section of asteroids that orbit between Mars and Jupiter, which go around the sun every three and a quarter years. It is a mere 341 million kilometers (195 million miles) from Earth, and 329 million miles from the Sun. Its lifespan will last hundreds of millions of years unless something knocks it out of that orbit into a Near Earth Object path.

What is next for you post the success of the DART Mission?

The DART mission is funded till the end of September. The ground-based observatories including the LCO have delivered all the data to the project, which is now being analyzed to figure out exactly what we did to the asteroid, and put into archives for future reference.

(DART successfully deflected Dimorphos. Ref: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/ nasa-confirms-dart-mission-impactchanged-asteroid-s-motion-in-space)

Part two is the European Space Agency’s Hera mission in 2024, which like DART, will probe into the same binary asteroid system to do a detailed post-impact survey for data and repeatable planetary defense technique. DART and Hera are two parts of the same study of asteroid deflection and defense.

Will you be selected to be on the team for Part 2 with the European Space Agency (ESA)?

It is still to be decided about having scientists from other countries be on the ESA team.

Your thoughts on DART?

DART has been a fabulous project, to be a part of the world’s first interplanetary defense. It was great that it was much more successful than we thought it would be, but it is one step in the process. Hera [Mission] will find out what exactly we did. We need to find more asteroids that may potentially hit the Earth and develop a capability to deflect one anytime we need to.

DART showed us that we could deflect an asteroid of a particular type and size. From there, it is a two-part strategy. One, we are going to continue finding ones that could hit us, so we know in advance. You can’t launch DART just before it hits, you need time for the deflection to take effect, 10 to 20 years ahead of impact. And two, a more complete idea of how we did the deflection. We need to test this on different sizes and makes of asteroids to build a confidence level that the deflection technique works. And we need to build these DARTs for use. More research requires the will of Congress and funding agencies to support.

Talk about defending the planet. Under the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs are two groups. The IAWN (International Asteroid Warning Network), which surveys the skies and alerts of any threatening asteroids and informs the necessary governments. We’ve done exercises and checks on this to make sure it works. The other group SMPAG (Space Mission Planning Advisory Group), is comprised of all the space faring nations, e.g. NASA and ESA. If IAWN says an asteroid is approaching Earth, SMPAG meets to figure out what to do. Defending the planet is an international problem, not a single government. All the space-faring nations are represented on the same page. This is funded by the U.N. members’ dues.

Your other top projects?

I also co-lead a multi-year LCO Key project with a global team, which uses LCO’s telescopes to study how new comets, that are coming into our solar system for the first time, “switch on” and start becoming active and how they get brighter and evolve through time as they get closer to the Sun. This is in support for another ESA mission, “Comet Interceptor,” which will launch a spacecraft in 2029 to flyby one of these new comets for the first time. We recently got additional telescope time for another 18 months to study more of these comets, particularly once the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile comes online.

LCO and I are quite heavily focused on the avalanche of data that will be coming out of the Rubin Observatory, and how to send out the estimated hundreds of thousands of alerts from Rubin to the LCO community. Rubin is probably going to find another 10 million asteroids that will need to be cataloged. It will do operations and testing in 2024 and start its 10-year sky survey in 2026. At LCO we are developing the software programs and working with observatories to make them more robotic to quickly respond and point as many telescopes globally as possible to an event.

We want the Rubin to be a success and discover lots of things, because only by discovering lots of asteroids are we going to be able to do the classifications and put the data into categories to help us figure out how the whole solar system got formed, what’s going to happen to it in the future, and what other solar systems are going to look like.

The MJ thanks and congratulates Dr. Lister for his work in defending our planet, and wishes continued success to the LCO team!

411: Lister: https://lco.global/user/tlister/ Lister minor planet data: https:// minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_ object?utf8=%E2%9C%93&object_id=33933

Rod Rolle, Isaac Garrett, E. onja Brown, and Betsy Shelby (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Rod Rolle receives a Certificate from Santa Barbara County Supervisor Das Williams, presented by Williams’ staff (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

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

The Giving List Organic Soup Kitchen

by Steven Libowitz

Organic Soup Kitchen (OSK) provides nutrition and food security to cancer patients, chronically ill, and low-income individuals throughout Santa Barbara County. The nonprofit organization has served more than a million bowls of nutrient-dense SoupMeals since its founding in 2009.

It all sounds pretty straightforward and simple. After all, like Campbell’s claimed in a long-running ad campaign, soup is good food. But there’s a whole lot that goes into every bowl of soup created to help heal cancer-recovery and other chronically-ill patients who are the nonprofit’s main clients.

OSK’s hand-crafted SoupMeals are designed to strengthen the immune system, increase energy, and promote healing. The meals are created in collaboration with leading cancer specialists, with recipes formulated to lower inflammation, balance blood sugar, and improve circulation. The organization uses only clean, whole foods –no preservatives and nothing artificial ever. Each recipe contains locally harvested organic vegetables, medicinal quality herbs, and spices and healthy fats and oils – all premium ingredients people can trust to support your body and optimize healing and recovery.

People have certainly responded. Especially during the pandemic, when the normal 10 percent growth rate mushroomed exponentially.

“Demand just skyrocketed,” said OSK Development Director Jennifer Hyle “So many more people, mostly seniors who found themselves shut in and not able to get out and shop or have visitors to cook for them. Our clients grew by more than 150 percent.”

Even more unexpected was the increased inquiries that came from a different direction – younger and/or healthy people who simply wanted to eat better and were asking if they could buy some soup.

“People were discovering just how great

our SoupMeals are, whether they were healthy or sick or seniors or younger, and wanted to know if they could buy them,” Hyle said. “We started bringing in all of the community for our soups, which was accidental and amazing at the same time. People really love them, and they were really excited to find clean, organic food that they didn’t have to cook that they knew was good for them. It grew very quickly by word of mouth.”

OSK started selling soups out of the back door at the kitchen facility, which, while helping to increase income for the organization to cover its no-cost deliveries to the vast majority of its clients, was making the crowded situation even more of a challenge. Before long, that increased demand and distribution and storage situation necessitated OSK expanding as it outgrew its facility. Just last month, Organic Soup Kitchen’s new Distribution and Education Center at 126 Haley Street had its official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the hub that will serve as the center for distribution, sales, pick up, and education, while the SoupMeals will continue to be handcrafted and packaged at the organization’s kitchen facility less than two blocks away on Anacapa Street. Congressman Salud Carbajal presented OSK with a Congressional Award of Honor in recognition of OSK’s success at the milestone for expanding its service and reach in the community.

“It’s fantastic to have this new facility where people can come inside, and there’s plenty of parking for easy access to purchasing and picking up our foods,” Hyle said. “And of course, 100 percent of the proceeds from our soup sales goes back into the nonprofit. It’s a double blessing for people: They feel good eating our soups and they feel good by helping others in the community who have cancer or chronic illnesses get the nutrition that they need to heal.”

It’s just the latest in a series of upgrades, growth, and changes at the organization within the last year or two, including upgraded equipment to increase the operation’s food rescue and further reduce its carbon footprint, including the installation of a 600-pound skillet allowing Organic Soup Kitchen to steam blanch and flash freeze hundreds of pounds of local organic produce each week that would otherwise end up in the landfill. That comes close on the heels of the recent shift to 100 percent Earth-friendly recyclable packaging that will reduce the nonprofit’s carbon footprint by 80 percent.

But OSK is nowhere near close to sitting back and resting on its laurels. Just earlier this week, there were discussions with the organization’s intern, who is earning a master’s in public health from Stanford University, about updating the SoupMeals’ nutrition facts and reimagining the ingredients, Hyle said.

“We had a huge conversation about how we can reduce the potatoes in our soups because it would probably be better for people who have diabetes to have a lower glycemic ingredient. Those kinds of meetings go on behind the scenes all the time as we continually work toward ensuring that we’re making the most nutritious product we can for people who are sick and people who are healthy and want to stay healthy. And we’re still growing, adding recipes and considering expanding further, because we just have so many people who need nutritious food security.”

Also notable is that earlier this year, Organic Soup Kitchen received the 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, the world’s premier source for information on nonprofit organizations. The rating puts OSK among the top 0.1 percent of charities in receiving the highest level of recognition for full transparency regarding goals, strategies, capabilities, achievements, and metrics that show progress and impact.

The OSK story has proven so beneficial for its clients and the community that it seems a surprise that the efforts haven’t been replicated in other cities and regions in the area and beyond.

“Actually, people have reached out because they would love to do something like this,” said Anthony Carroccio, OSK’s Co-founder and Executive Director, who dons gloves and begins stirring things up at the organization’s kitchen before the crack of dawn on Monday mornings to create the latest SoupMeal concoctions to meet the needs of its clients. “But as soon as they hear how much work it is, that seems to be the end of the conversation. We are all very committed to what we’re doing, and everybody here gives their all. We’ve been serving soup non-stop every week since we started and have made it happen consecutively for 14 years. So, it’s a huge commitment.”

It takes a much smaller commitment for readers to help support the organization and its mission to continue to provide metabolic oncology nutrition and food security to support the health and wellness of small-income seniors and other individuals with cancer or chronic illness. Monthly Givers are the heartbeat of the organization, as such contributions directly provide regular SoupMeals to community members in need.

Organic Soup Kitchen

(805) 364-2790

www.organicsoupkitchen.org

Each batch of nutrient dense soup incorporates local organic produce that would otherwise go to waste (courtesy photo)

Organic Soup Kitchen recently opened a new Distribution and Education Center (courtesy photo)

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On Entertainment The Summer on Stage

“She’s basically doing all my favorite scenes,” McGarry said. “But Audrey is sick of it.” Fortunately, even in the unlikely event that audiences don’t fall for all of the action, they won’t have to hide their reactions for long – the play only runs for just over 60 minutes.

“I hate intermissions,” McGarry said. “I won’t ever write a play that goes much longer than that. And this one is action packed.”

Visit www.centerstagetheater.org

Laughing at Summer

The Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria is opening its third annual Laugh Out Loud summer comedy series, an evening of short comedic one-act plays of about 10 minutes each to lighten the load of the dog days of summer. The series’ scope has expanded yet again for 2023 and now boasts eight plays, four directors – although Asa Olsson, Alcazar Ensemble’s founding creative director and board president, will helm three and star in another – and a cast that totals 17 community actors.

LOL also expands to six shows over two weekends, July 21-30, each featuring all eight plays for a plethora of hilarity: A Fare Ride by Matt Thompson, The Prodigal Cow by Mark Harvey Levine, The Best Escape by Carolyn West, Day One by Ross Gordon Brown, Who’s There? by Lisa Marciano, Gatecrashers by Peter Pitt, and People Will Talk and Sandbox, both by Scott Mullen

Visit www.thealcazar.org.

by Steven Libowitz

Guys and Dolls garnered a standing ovation in its glorious opening night at SBCC’s Garvin Theatre last Friday in a production that deserves kudos not only for its smartly-matched and crisply-directly 25-member cast – with plenty of chemistry in the two main couples – but also for its impressive full-scale set, terrific live orchestra, and clever choreography. The classic Tony-winning musical still clearly has lots of life 73 years after its Broadway debut, with Frank Loesser’s most memorable tunes still leaving the audience with a song in their hearts.

Guys and Dolls continues at the Garvin through July 29, but this weekend also brings three new productions to our more locally-centric stages.

Can You Hear Me Now?

A coma might seem a bit of a stretch for comedy, but there’s a catch for the character in question in Santa Barbara-based playwright Claudia McGarry’s I Can Hear You, Damn It!, which has its premiere at Center Stage Theater on July 22-23. Audrey, played by Bojana Hill, is indeed in a coma after collapsing, but she’s in the process of recovering and can hear the confessions, complaints, apologies, and other secrets shared by family and friends at her bedside.

Damn It! is the second fictional dramatic comedy by the prolific McGarry, who wrote several historical dramas before shifting to a more personal focus during the pandemic.

“Normally, people hold back on saying what they want, but if they think you can’t hear them, they feel much more liberty,” said McGarry, who came up with the concept when she found herself talking to a friend who was in a coma for a few weeks before recovering.

While the family members’ bedside babble probes a variety of emotions, the comedy comes from the audience being aware of Audrey’s reactions to their words, as Hill shares her thoughts from the wings while a similarly-dressed mannequin lies in the bed. Then there’s the funny antics of her wanna-be-actress nurse –played by Heather Terbell Wilson , McGarry’s real-life OB-GYN/actress-improviser – who practices auditioning for various roles for the inanimate Audrey after the visitors leave.

The nurse acts out everything from Shakespeare to tap dancing to the famous restaurant scene from When Harry Met Sally.

Summer Launching Off

UCSB Theater/Dance’s ninth Launch Pad Summer Reading Series gets underway this weekend with the first of three staged readings of new plays-in-progress by award winning playwrights as the culmination of an intensive four-day workshop between the writer, director, and student actors. Melinda Lopez’s Power Trio, which is about immigration and inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, performs July 21, while Strange Birds, by E. M. Lewis, a mysterious dark comedy about an unusual family, plays July 27. Closing out the series on August 3 is James Still’s Everybody’s Favorite Mothers, which tells the story of Jeanne Manford, co-founder of the pioneering LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, and other courageous mothers who came together for their children during a time when homosexuality was still illegal in 49 states. (Launch Pad will also have a full preview production of the play next February.)

The free readings in UCSB’s Studio Theater begin with a reception to meet the playwright and are followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew.

Visit https://launchpad.theaterdance.ucsb.edu.

SBCC’s Guys and Dolls receives a standing ovation and there’s still time to see it (photo by Ben Crop)

The cast of I Can Hear You, Damn It!, at time of printing, all were still able to hear one another (courtesy photo)

Earth, Air, Fire, Water series

4 events - Save 20%

Jeff Goodell

Life and Death on a Scorched Planet

Tue, Oct 17 / 7:30 PM

UCSB Campbell Hall

Cristina Mittermeier

Between Land and Sea: Saving Our Oceans to Save Ourselves

Tue, Apr 16 / 7:30 PM

UCSB Campbell Hall

Suzanne Simard

Finding the Mother Tree

Wed, May 1 / 7:30 PM

UCSB Campbell Hall

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

What if We Get It Right?

Tue, May 7 / 7:30 PM

UCSB Campbell Hall

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“Goodell brings to life heat as a world re-making force… This searing plea for a better, fairer and cooler future should be read [by] every single one of us.”

– Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything

“If our oceans die – and they are dying – we will die with them. Life on Earth is not possible without a living ocean.” – Cristina Mittermeier

“What Simard is revealing here has implications and potential on the scale of mapping the human genome. Simard is one of this planet’s most insightful and eloquent translators.”

– John Vaillant, bestselling author of The Golden Spruce

“Ayana Elizabeth Johnson embodies and inspires optimism in the fight against climate change, injecting creativity, joy and hope into an issue that often feels dire.”

Time magazine

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View the full 2023-2024 lineup at ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

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Your Westmont Observatory Opens for Stargazers

by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott

Westmont hosts a star party of sorts on Friday, July 21, beginning about 8 pm and lasting several hours at the observatory. The college’s powerful Keck Telescope, a computer-controlled 24-inch reflector, is available to the public every third Friday of month in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU). Members of the SBAU bring their own telescopes to campus to share with the public as well.

Free parking is available near the Westmont Observatory, which is between the baseball field and the track and field/soccer complex. To enter Westmont’s campus, please use the Main Entrance off La Paz Road. The lower entrance off Cold Spring Road is closed to visitors after 7 pm. In case of inclement weather, please call the telescope viewing hotline at (805) 565-6272 to see if the viewing has been canceled.

Warriors to Compete in NCAA DII PacWest Conference

It’s official: Westmont launches into a new era of athletic competition to play in the NCAA Division II this fall. The NCAA formally notified the college that it is approved to move on to the second year of provisional status, which allows them to compete in the PacWest Conference beginning this coming year.

“The move to the NCAA marks a monumental moment for our athletic programs and the Westmont College community,” said Robert Ruiz, Westmont athletic director. “We look forward to the new partnership in the PacWest and the opportunity to challenge ourselves in a new landscape.”

Westmont will battle PacWest foes during the regular season and compete for regular season conference championships during the next two seasons. The Warriors, who won’t be eligible to participate in DII national postseason competition through 2024-25, anticipate competing in postseason play in the National Christian College Athletic Association.

Count, Roll, and Win! Why Board Games Are Experiencing a Well-Deserved Revival

Board games are making a successful comeback in this age of screens and virtual realities. Nostalgia fans are ecstatic about the opportunity to recreate childhood memories, while pubs are offering game evenings and families are rediscovering the joy of face-to-face interaction.

In a world dominated by internet communications, these timeless games provide affordable amusement and develop meaningful connections. They also present an ingenious approach to embracing ecological and simplified living, since a single board game can survive for generations.

This past season, the Warriors competed in the NAIA’s Golden State Athletic Conference, their home since 1986. Five current members of the PacWest formerly participated in the GSAC: Azusa Pacific, Fresno Pacific, Point Loma, Concordia, and Biola. By the start of the 2024-25 academic year, the PacWest will likely include 14 members.

“NCAA Division II will undoubtedly challenge us to compete at our highest capabilities night in and night out,” said Kirsten Moore, head coach of Westmont women’s basketball since 2005, who has led the team to two National Championships (2013 and 2021). “The PacWest is extremely deep from top to bottom and will require more from us to be successful throughout the duration of the season. We look forward to rekindling some of Westmont’s great traditional rivalries.”

In addition to the former GSAC rivals, other current PacWest members include Academy of Art (San Francisco), Chaminade University (Honolulu), Dominican (San Rafael), Hawaii-Hilo (Hilo), and Hawaii Pacific (Honolulu). Westmont’s impact at the national level of the NAIA has been significant. The men’s basketball team was the first Westmont representative on the national stage when the Warrior squad competed in the 1957 NAIA National Tournament. The women’s soccer team claimed its first NAIA title in 1985, setting the stage for the greatest string of success in Warrior history more than a decade later. A national title in 1999 and then three straight championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003 propelled the women’s soccer program to new heights.

Westmont concluded its final NAIA game in June with the baseball team securing the college’s 10th National Championship, and capping off a string of six straight decades with at least one NAIA National Title for the Warriors. In its 66 years of athletic history, Westmont also earned 33 NAIA top-four national finishes and celebrated 637 NAIA All-American performers. The Warriors wrapped up 37 years as a member of the GSAC by winning 10 straight All-GSAC Sports Awards for achieving the highest

Prepare to be astounded by the additional benefits of number-based board games such as Monopoly, Othello, Chutes and Ladders, and others. According to a recent study, these classic games can genuinely improve children’s math abilities. The number-based nature of these activities efficiently enhances counting, addition, and number recognition in children aged three to nine. It’s a fresh take on the age-old pastime of rolling dice and manipulating game pieces.

“Board games enhance mathematical abilities for young children,” says lead author Dr. Jaime Balladares. “Using board games can be considered a strategy with potential effects on basic and complex math skills. Board games can easily be adapted to include learning objectives related to mathematical skills or other domains.”

The study included a thorough analysis of 19 papers published between 2000 and 2010 that focused on the effects of physical board games on children’s learning. The findings show that playing board games on a regular basis (two times a week for 20 minutes) leads to significant increases in math skills over a six-week period. The games target a variety of arithmetic skills, ranging from basic number competency to deepened comprehension, resulting in improved mathematical abilities for more than half of the activities studied.

According to the study’s press release, “In nearly a third (32 percent) of cases, children in the intervention groups gained better results than those who did not take part in the board game intervention.”

Board games’ future as educational aids is bright with potential applications extending beyond mathematics. “An interesting space for the development of intervention and assessment of board games should open up in the next few years,” Dr. Balladares believes, “given the complexity of games and the need to design more and better games for educational purposes.”

So, let us rediscover the joy of board games! Turn off the television, put away your smartphones, and enjoy the traditional thrill of Chutes and Ladders or any other childhood favorite.

Elwood Returns to Helm of Men’s Tennis

Chris Elwood returns to Westmont as head coach of men’s tennis, a position he previously held for 14 years (1993-97, 2001-09).

average finish in the conference standings of all its athletic teams.

Anyone associated with Westmont athletics can look back at the last 80 years and see the history of success. If the past — as they say — is a way to judge the future, Westmont and its NCAA athletics programs will rise to the challenge.

The men’s soccer team kicks off PacWest competition, hosting Saint Martin’s (Wash.) on Thursday, August 31, at 3 pm on Thorrington Field. Women’s soccer will begin 90 minutes later at Cal Poly Pomona, while volleyball participates in a tournament the following day, September 1, at Cal State Monterey Bay.

“In a competitive pool of candidates, Chris stood out as someone with great experience, a strong vision for the program, and a compelling plan to build for the future,” says Westmont Director of Athletics Robert Ruiz.

Elwood, a Westmont student-athlete from 1988-92, compiled a still-program-record 140 wins during his coaching career.

The Westmont Observatory opens to the public July 21

Athletic Director Robert Ruiz guides the Warriors into the NCAA DII PacWest Conference

Chris Elwood returns to lead men’s tennis

Scott Craig is manager of media relations at Westmont College

Gretchen Olenberger, Karen Knight, Richard and Amanda Payatt, and Joel and Jamie Knee

A pulsating sunset soirée....

The Harmonious Hadelich

Violinist extraordinaire Augustin

Hadelich was back in our Eden by the Beach for the second time in two months when he performed at the Lobero as part of the Music Academy’s summer fest.

Grammy Award winner Hadelich, who I saw at a CAMA Masterseries concert in April, his fifth appearance for the organization since 2015, was accompanied this time by pianist Jonathan Feldman, chairman of Juilliard’s collaborative piano department, playing works by Schubert, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Ysaÿe, and Prokofiev, either as a solo or in a duet.

Travel Buzz

Lovely Laguna and Montage Laguna Beach Eat. Drink. Swim. Nap. Walk. Get Pampered. Repeat. Not necessarily in that order.

Just before the intermission, they unfortunately found themselves with a cell phone accompaniment with Ravel’s “Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano in G Major.”

Hadelich, playing a 1744 instrument, one of the last made by master luthier Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, smiled benignly while the irksome ringing continued, while Feldman looked ready to explode.

Just 24 hours later I was at Lehmann Hall for Chamber Night with works by Coleman, Prokofiev, and Mendelssohn’s “Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor” with violinist Steven Song, cellist Alexander Wu, and pianist Szuyu Su.

The following night I was at Hahn Hall’s X2 series with works by Plog, Couperin, and Klughardt, culminating with Bach’s magnificent “Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major” with 13 Miscellany Page 324

by Leslie Andrea Westbrook

There’s nothing more SoCal picturesque than cruising down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, in case you’re not a Californian reading this story) on a sunny summer day.

I headed to one of Laguna Beach’s stellar spots: Crystal Cove and Montage Laguna Beach, perched elegantly above the Pacific and adjacent to a lovely seaside public park suitably named Treasure Island after the 1934 film adaptation by Victor Fleming, and a stunning public beach.

I made a lunch stop in Newport Beach en route to visit Carpinteria poet/author Glenna Berry-Horton, then headed along the coast via Newport Beach (as opposed to the canyon route) where I passed girls in cut-off jeans and bikini tops, boys with surfboards on their heads, mothers pushing strollers, and fathers herding their youngsters. Gaggles of teenagers and skateboarders swayed along the highway lined with alluring boutiques, restaurants, and the terrific Laguna Museum of Art, which I visited on my way home and highly recommend.

Montage Laguna Beach is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, which coincided with a 20th “friendiversary” I wanted to celebrate with my good friend Collin Mitchell. (We were also marking both our June birthdays.) A writer and teacher, Collin came into my life as an intern while attending UCSB and has been a stellar pal ever since. Collin and his seven-year-old son Henry vacayed together with me several times (reported in the MJ April 28 – May 5, 2022), but this called for “just the grown-ups,” I told him while we were managing our schedules. Henry stayed home with his mom while Collin and I got to luxuriate in five-star style. (Please don’t tell Henry, as it turns out, Montage Laguna Beach is a great family resort with super children’s programs.)

The low-key entrance to the California Craftsman-style resort is deceiving. Parking valets greet guests at the top floor of the four-story building gently built into the seaside cliffs. The lobby entrance is stunning with expansive ocean views that mimic a motionless yacht. It’s understandable why guests perch here for cocktails, laptop work, or just ocean gazing. The jewel of the property’s many charms is the grand pool with its signature mosaic tile design, aptly dubbed the Mosaic Pool.

Collin and I arrived at about the same time and waited for the room over an Allagash beer with complimentary nuts with marinated olives. One of the many genial staff, Amanda, showed us to our bright white second-story cottage room. Calming, and just what the vacation doctor ordered for two tired, hard-working adults, we checked out our cloud-like beds. (Nice to hear recent news suggesting that short regular naps keep your brain from shrinking.) Thank goodness neither one of us snored the first morning of our slumber party!

Every room, especially this coastal suite, has ocean views (photo courtesy of Montage Laguna Beach)

Superstar violinist Augustin Hadelich was accompanied by Jonathan Feldman on the piano (photo by Zach Mendez)

A large crowd gathered at the Lobero for the one and only Augustin Hadelich (photo by Zach Mendez)

Another successful Chamber Night at the Academy’s Lehmann Hall (photo by Emma Mathews)

Wine Country Classes

Unveiling the Charms of Santa Barbara Wine Country

by Jamie Knee

Living in Santa Barbara wine country is a stroke of good fortune for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Crowned the wine region of the year in 2021 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, this beautiful area offers a delightful blend of scenic landscapes, exceptional wines, and a thriving wine culture.

Nestled along the Central Coast of California, Santa Barbara wine country boasts a unique microclimate that is conducive to growing a wide variety of grapes. The region benefits from the cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean and the east-west orientation of its valleys, creating an ideal environment for growing a diverse range of grapes, from chardonnay and pinot noir to syrah and grenache. The terroir of Santa Barbara wine country yields wines of exceptional quality and character.

The recent accolade bestowed upon Santa Barbara wine country further solidifies its reputation as a premier wine region. This recognition highlights the dedication and craftsmanship of the local winemakers who tirelessly strive to produce world-class wines. It also underscores the region’s commitment to sustainable practices and innovation, setting a benchmark for other wine regions to emulate.

For those who have longed to delve into the intricacies of Santa Barbara wine country, an exciting opportunity awaits. Starting July 22 and continuing every other Saturday throughout the summer, I will be conducting Santa Barbara AVA (American Viticultural Area) wine education and tastings at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Nestled amid breathtaking coastal beauty, the Bacara’s newly renovated tasting room provides an idyllic setting to explore the wines of this esteemed region. Santa Barbara wine country is divided into two primary regions: the Santa Maria Valley and the Santa Ynez Valley. During our class, not only will you learn about the differences a few miles can make, but you will taste the difference. In each tasting, we will delve into the different areas of the Santa Barbara wine region, and discover what makes them different from one another.

As a native Californian, I returned to my home state two years ago with a fervent desire to work in wine country. Teaching my friends and neighbors in Montecito and Santa Barbara about the wonders of wine has been a fulfilling journey. Through engaging tastings and informative sessions, I aim to share my passion and knowledge, guiding participants on an unforgettable exploration of the beautiful Santa Barbara wine country.

Whether you’re a wine novice seeking an introduction or a seasoned enthusiast looking to deepen your understanding, these tastings will offer a gateway to discover the treasures of Santa Barbara wine country. From uncovering the nuances of different varietals to understanding the art of tasting wine, and wine pairing, these sessions will inspire and enlighten, leaving you with a profound appreciation for this remarkable wine region. I look forward to sharing the delights of the Santa Barbara wine region with you.

The cozy yet elegant Ritz-Carlton Bacara sets the scene for the upcoming classes on Santa Barbara wine country (photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bacara)

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.

Every guest room at Montage Laguna Beach has an ocean view. Our room in the lovely Cuprien Bungalow (named for California impressionist artist Frank Cuprien) had a small deck overlooking the Pacific, and where we spotted several passersby pausing to take pictures of one of the many bunny rabbits that hop through the resort’s 30-acre grounds. The marble bathroom was luxurious with a deep tub, double sinks, and separate shower. The property also has several multi-bedroom cottage residences popular with Hollywood celebs seeking a quick private escape from Los Angeles.

Dinner at the upscale, yet casual restaurant, The Loft (which I loved because the food was five-star, but the dress code was casual) was fantastic. Our waiter Brandon has worked at the resort for 15 years and was a perfect guide through the incredible menu. We started with the smoked Japanese hamachi with charred avocado and summer melons in a lovely cucumber aguachile broth and a platter of seafood that included sweet petite oysters from Boston topped with Kaluga, several other caviars, and savory jumbo prawns. Collin had the Kurobuta pork chop ($54) – a dinner plate version of a BLT with grilled little gem lettuce, melted cherry tomatoes, and pancetta brioche. I chose the pan-seared sea bass ($55) served with a pair of New Caledonian prawns, summer squash noodles, mustard greens, seasoned plums, and cauliflower purée. Our favorite side ($13 each) was the roasted corn kernels over corn pudding with whole milk ricotta and pickled Tinkerbell peppers. The excellent sommelier suggested perfect pairings and brought out an ice wine to accompany our not-to-be-missed desserts. Just when we thought we couldn’t eat anymore, we almost devoured the generous-sized, out of this world cheesecake-like chévre crème brûlée that resembled a work of art by Miro, as well as the summer apricot tart with house-made ice cream that Collin deemed “wickedly good.” Several families with children were also dining – and we learned from our waiter (father of four) that while Tinkerbell still lives at nearby Disneyland, Baymax (from Disney’s Big Hero 6 ) has upstaged her in an evening show.

Spa Montage

The 20,000-square-foot Spa Montage was a dream. There’s a private clothing-optional tropical outdoor lounge with showers and a large warm soaking tub with waterfall to soothe sore shoulders and backs. The sauna and steam room provide the perfect prelude (or after lude) to spa services on the women’s side. There’s also a cold plunge, sauna, and steam room if you want to settle in for more calm. I indulged in “Pure Bliss,” a 90-minute treatment that included a salt/sugar scrub (incorporating one of three fragrant oils from Lola’s Apothecary, I chose Delicate Romance, a milk bath pour, and massage by Anna , who’s been working as a massage therapist since high school. She sent me floating on Cloud Nine.

Collin and I lounged for the rest of the afternoon at the “adults only” oceanfront pool and spa – with a break for lunch at the casual outdoor Mosaic restaurant. A stellar poke bowl with rich avocado and lightly tempura battered calamari were just the ticket.

For our second – and last night – we discussed going off property to Drake’s, a jazz supper club just down the PCH (the resort offers complimentary car service in partnership with Cadillac) but opted instead for the opening night of the “Talay” pop-up, held on property, which runs through early September. The lively outdoor, casual, and brightly decorated dinner spot has been transported from sister property Montage Los Cabos and features elevated Thai street food –some of the best I’ve tasted here or in Thailand. A meaty succulent chicken satay accompanied by Chef Marc Narongchai ’s peanut sauce made with his mother’s recipe was a standout, as were the dumplings.

Collin engaged in two of the resort’s complimentary morning exercise programs: the restorative Montage Yoga Ritual and SurfSET, an interval-based workout that works the core and fine balancing.

Sad to leave but especially grateful to the incredibly cheerful, pampering staff – we left our two-day celebration a bit heavier – in pounds and in our hearts – for having to end our dreamy escape.

I used to visit Laguna Beach as a child with my parents. My great aunt Josephine, who lived in Pasadena, had a summer cottage set on the beach. I even remember seeing Laguna’s famous “greeter” Danish vagabond Eiler Larsen (18901975) as a kid. A statue of the original greeter is in town and a modern-day live version welcomes tourists by dancing, waving, and spinning at the convergences of Highway 133 and PCH.

The Montage experience was a different Laguna Beach from my long-ago childhood, but it’s also now a treasured piece of my memory bank – thanks to sharing the grand experience with my dear friend Collin. Prices may not be for the faint of heart – but heck, you only live once, right? Carpe Diem , as they say.

Montage Laguna Beach

www.montage.com

Phone: (866) 271-6953

Rates begin at $1,100 and can vary up to $2,500 for a two-queen room, depending on season, vacancy, etc.

This seafood platter at The Loft is loaded with caviar, prawns, and more (photo by Leslie Andrea Westbrook)

Visiting Spa Montage is just one of the many benefits of staying at the exotic hotel (photo courtesy of Montage Laguna Beach)

An incredible poke bowl from Mosaic (photo by Leslie Andrea Westbrook)

Leslie A. Westbrook is a Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel writer and journalist who loves exploring the globe. A 3rd generation Californian., Leslie also assists clients sell fine art, antiques, and collectibles via auction. lesliewestbrook.com

excellent musicians, mostly students, in the spotlight.

A memorable evening...

Award Nominations

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s controversial Netflix series has been nominated for a Hollywood award.

The tony twosome released their docuseries Harry & Meghan with the streaming giant last December, which became Netflix’s second highest ranked documentary behind The Tinder Swindler

The documentary was directed by Liz Garbus , which was the first project to emerge from the $100 million multi-year deal the couple signed with Netflix shortly after stepping down as working members of the British Royal Family.

Now the series has been nominated for a Hollywood Critics Award in the Best Streaming Nonfiction category.

Other nominees in the same category are Prehistoric Planet 2, Rennervations, The 1619 Project, The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy, and Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss

Voting began on Tuesday, with the winner being awarded at a ceremony in due course.

Lis Wiehl Gives the Inside Story

To the historic Santa Barbara Club for an enthralling talk by prolific Hope Ranch-based author Lis Wiehl organized by Montecito Bank and Trust’s MClub.

One of America’s most prominent trial lawyers, the Harvard Law School graduate served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle and was a regular contributor on NBC, NPR, and Fox News.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND PENDING ACTION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO:

WAIVE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON A MODIFICATION APPLICATION AND APPROVE, CONDITIONALLY APPROVE, OR DENY THE MODIFICATION APPLICATION

This may affect your property. Please read.

Notice is hereby given that an application for the project described below has been submitted to the Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Department. This project requires the approval and issuance of a Modification application by the Planning and Development Department.

The development requested by this application is under the jurisdiction of the Montecito PC and therefore a public hearing on the application is normally required prior to any action to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application. However, in compliance with the Montecito Land Use and Development Code Section 35.472.120.D.7, the Director intends to waive the public hearing requirement unless a written request for such hearing is submitted by an interested party to the Planning and Development Dep artment within the 15 working days following the Date of Notice listed below. All requests for a hearing must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Request for Hearing Expiration Date listed below, to Tatiana Cruz at Planning and Development, 123 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara 93101 2058, by email at cruzt@countyofsb.org, or by fax at (805) 568 2030. If a public hearing is requested, notice of such a hearing will be provided.

WARNING: Failure by a person to request a public hearing may result in the loss of the person’s ability to appeal any action taken by Santa Barbara County on this Modification Application to the Montecito Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors.

If a request for public hearing is not received by 5:00 p.m. on the Request for Hearing Expiration Date listed below, then the Planning and Development Department will act to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request for a Modification application. At this time it is not known when this action may occur; however, this may be the only notice you receive for this project. To receive additional information regarding this project, including the date the Modification application is approved, and/or to view the application and plans, or to provide comments on the project, please contact Tatiana Cruz at Planning and Development, 123 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara 93101 2058, or by email at cruzt@countyofsb.org, or by phone at .

PROPOSAL: DAVID PARKING MODIFICATION

PROJECT ADDRESS: 1085 ALSTON RD, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93108 1st SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT

DATE OF NOTICE: 7/13/2023

REQUEST FOR HEARING EXPIRATION DATE: 8/3/2023

PERMIT NUMBER: 23MOD 00009

ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NO.: 009 091 010

ZONING: 2 E 1

PROJECT AREA: 0.92

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Applicant: Lauren David

Proposed Project:

APPLICATION FILED: 4/12/2023

The project is a request for a Modification to validate conversion of a 2 car garage to habitable space and allow (3) uncover ed parking spaces to be located in the existing motor court outside of the setbacks, instead of the required (2) covered and (1) uncovered parking spaces. No grading or tree removal is proposed. The parcel will continue to be served by the Montecito Water District, the Mo ntecito Sanitary District, and the Montecito Fire Department. Access will continue to be provided off of Alston Rd. The property is a 0.92 acre parcel zoned 2 E 1 and shown as Assessor’s Parcel Number 009 091 010, located at 1085 Alston Rd. in the Montecito Community Plan Area, First Supervisorial District.

APPEALS:

The decision of the Director of the Planning and Development Department to approve, conditionally approve, or deny this Modification application 23MOD 00009 may be appealed to the Montecito Planning Commission by the applicant or an aggrieved person. The written appeal must be filed within the 10 calendar days following the date that the Director takes action on this Modification application. To qualify as an "aggrieved person" the appellant must have, in person or through a representative, informed the Planning and Development Department by appropriate means prior to the decision on the Coastal Development Permit of the nature of their concerns, or, for good cause, was unable to do so.

Written appeals must be filed with the Planning and Development Department at either 123 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, 93101, or 624 West Foster Road, Suite C, Santa Maria, 93455, by 5:00 p.m. within the timeframe identified above. In the event that the last day for filing an appeal falls on a non business day of the County, the appeal may be timely filed on the next business day.

For additional information regarding the appeal process, contact Tatiana Cruz. The application required to file an appeal may be viewed at or downloaded from:

https://ca santabarbaracounty.civicplus.pro/1085/Planning and Building Permit Application

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Information about this project review process may also be viewed at: https://ca santabarbaracounty.civicplus.pro/1499/Planning Permit Process Flow Chart

Board of Architectural Review agendas may be viewed online at: https://www.countyofsb.org/160/Planning Development

Published July 19, 2023

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Mastershine Auto Spa & Mobile Detailing, 502 Casitas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. David I. Tenorio Andrade, 502 Casitas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 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. 2023-0001768. Published July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AAER Enterprises, 1060 Colleen Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Adam Rennie INC, 1060 Colleen Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on June 20, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2023-0001540. Published July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Cruz Landscaping, 1028 Cramer Rd Apt A, Carpinteria, CA 93013. Rodrigo Cruz Cortez, 1028 Cramer Rd Apt A, Carpinteria, CA 93013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 3, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2023-0001654. Published July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Santa Barbara Valet, 115 West De La Guerra, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Santa Barbara Valet INC, 115 West De La Guerra, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on June 26, 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. 2023-0001591. Published July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Flowing River, 649 Tabor Lane,

“If men were born free, they would, so long as they remained free, form no conception of good and evil.”

Montecito, CA 93108. Derren G Ohanian 649 Tabor Lane, Montecito, CA 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 3, 2023. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL).

FBN No. 2023-0001651. Published July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SBIF, INC., 873 S Kellogg Ave, Goleta, CA 93117. SBIF, INC, 873 S Kellogg Ave, Goleta, CA 93117. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on June 6, 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. 2023-0001430. Published July 5, July 12, 19, 26, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Inland Equine Medical Center, 2765 Corral De Quati Road, Los Olivos, CA 93441. Chris Pankau, D.V.M., 2765 Corral De Quati Road, Los Olivos, CA 93441. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on June 22, 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. 2023-0001566. Published June 28, July 5, July 12, 19, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Kids Live Safe, 3905 State St STE 7228, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Scalable Commerce LLC, 3905 State St STE 7228, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on June 21, 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. 2023-0001559. Published June 28, July 5, July 12, 19, 2023

ORDER FOR PUBLICATION OF SUMMONS OR CITATION:

CASE No. 23CV01669. Notice to

Defendant: Joseph S. Foster: You are being sued by Plaintiff: Jordan Schulhof. You and the plaintiff must go to court on the trial date of

October 17, 2023 at 9 am. If you do not go to the court, you may lose the case. If you lose, the court can order that your wages, money, or property be taken to pay this claim. Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case. The plaintiff claims the defendant owes $10,000 for unpaid personal loan. Name and address of the court: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93121-1107. Filed June 20, 2023, by Gabriel Moreno, Deputy Clerk. Published July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 2023

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: Suzanne McCarroll. Case No. 23PR00296.

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 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 Nicolette Barnard, Deputy. Published June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 2023.

U.S. Army Captain (Ret.) Joe Danely and MClub’s Maria McCall with speaker Lis Wiehl (photo by Priscilla)

The writer of 20 books, including Hunting the Unabomber: FBI, Ted Kaczynski , and the Capture of America’s Notorious Domestic Terrorist in April, 2020, and her latest, A Spy in Plain Sight: The Inside Story of the FBI and Robert Hanssen , America’s Most Damaging Russian Spy in August, 2021.

Both men expired within days of each other in June. Hanssen, aged 79, and Kaczynski, aged 81.

“They seem to die after I write about them,” joked Lis. “Friends have suggested I let future subjects know so that they can make their funeral arrangements well in advance!”

Club director Maria McCall conducted the hour-long interview with lunch guests including Hiroko Benko , Mara Abboud , Erin and James Garcia , Brendon Twigden , and Dirk Brandts .

Lawyers’ Fees Continue

Actor Kevin Costner is on the hook for a hefty $129,755 monthly child support payment after a judge ruled on a tentative agreement.

The Yellowstone star, 68, has to pay the whopping amount to his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, 49, considerably more than double what the Carpinteria-based Oscar winner had originally offered her, although only a little over half of what she had been asking for.

The decision came after the former handbag designer was ordered to vacate

Costner’s $145 million oceanfront compound by July 31.

Stay tuned...

Documentary on Trial

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski trial earlier this year is being made into a documentary by Discovery+.

Gwyneth vs Terry: The Ski Crash Trial, a project that will explore the Montecito Oscar winner’s viral legal battle with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson

Optomen, the production company behind Johnny vs Amber, and Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce, will be working on the project, according to Variety. It will air in two parts later this year.

Sanderson accused the Goop founder, 50, of colliding with him during a 2016 ski crash in Utah, an incident which he claimed left him with lasting brain damage.

But Paltrow ultimately prevailed with jurors finding Sanderson, 76, “100 percent” to blame for the crash at the upmarket ski resort seven years ago.

It took just two hours and 20 minutes for the jury to reach its verdict, which meant Sanderson had to pay Paltrow a symbolic $1 in damages – but also her legal costs, which are likely to run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Millinery Match in the Making

It’s that time again!

For the 16th year I have the onerous task of judging Santa Barbara Polo

Club’s hat contest on Sunday at the spectacular Carpinteria locale after launching its high goal season with the Left Coast’s top tournament, the Netjets, USPA Pacific Coast Open on September 3.

The three categories for the mélange of magnificent millinery in the stands are the Most Colorful, Most Creative, and the Largest.

Hopefully we’ll have the usual torrent of tony tête toppers to choose from. Not so much Pacific Rim as Pacific brim!

Winners will also be featured in the following week’s issue of Miscellany....

A Bastille Deal at Bouchon

Culinary whiz Mitchell Sjerven , owner of the West Victoria Street eatery bouchon Santa Barbara, had a double celebration last week with Bastille Day, which was also the 25th anniversary of his popular restaurant’s opening.

“It is a story of enduring relationships,” says Mitchell. “From working side-byside with my wife, Amy, to having both my daughters, Madeline and Caroline, part of the restaurant team, I cherish these family ties.”

To mark the occasion, he is offering

a number of anniversary specials and champagnes like Taittinger “la France” and Billecart-Salmon.

Bon appetit....

Lobero on the Grand Stage

The historic Lobero Theatre has been highlighted by Condé Nast glossy Architectural Digest in an article showcasing “The 11 Most Beautiful Theaters in the World.”

Some of the other venues include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Opéra Garnier in Paris, Harbin Grand Theater in China, Palacio de Bellas Arte in Mexico City, Sydney Opera House, Vienna State Opera in Austria, and Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy.

Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, the Lobero is clearly in good company.

“Spanning styles and purpose, these stunning buildings prove it’s not just the performances hosted within that can be considered art,” writes Katherine McLaughlin “Nonetheless, they shine through their Miscellany Page 354

Seated: April Thede, Nanci Robertson, Judith Mack, and Billie Maunz; Standing: Olivia Brown, Annette Vait, Michelle Weinman, Angela Sanchez, and Carolyn Novick (photo by Priscilla)

Brendon Twigden, Maryanne and Buck Brillhart, and Marica Jean (photo by Priscilla)

Eatery owner Mitchell Sjerven (center) celebrates 25 years (courtesy photo)

Columnist Richard Mineards judges the Santa Barbara Polo Club’s hat contest for the 16th year (photo by Nigel Gallimore)

Islands – a geographic area spanning 155 miles. Founded by Ruth and Sam Dover, they field stranded animal call reports from the public, monitoring any marine mammals sickened by the domoic acid, triaging and determining which ones should be brought in for treatment. When there isn’t an algae bloom or unusual mortality event going on, they typically rehab seals and sea lions with injuries or malnourishment, and they’re authorized to respond to sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and porpoises, who they triage and send to specialists for care.

Like many of the organizations up and down the California coast dedicated to helping marine mammals, they perform what is essentially a public service for the community complete with a hotline to call when a beachgoer finds a stranded animal. And while the perception is that they work closely with the city and county, CIMWI does not receive any public funding at the local level.

NOAA offers modest yearly grants, and the State of California offers the biggest annual chunk of public funding. The rest of their operating budget comes from private donations. Sam Dover, the medical director and former SeaWorld Marine

Is the Sea Lion Population at Risk?

Sea lion population numbers are stable after more than 50 years of federal protection. But with the combination of more frequent and escalating algae blooms, and so many pregnant animals and their newborn pups being affected, it’s up for debate as to whether that will continue. “It’s a big question whether the population numbers will be affected going forward,” says Dr. Vanessa Fravel Hoard, a marine mammal veterinarian and research associate with the Marine Mammal Center and Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

What to do:

- If you come across a stranded marine mammal, be sure to give it space. Don’t crowd it, touch it, or prod it in any way. Keep in mind these are federally protected animals who may be having seizures, strokes, or brain damage that may cause them to act erratically.

- To report a mammal in distress, call the CIMWI hotline at (805) 5671505 or fill out a contact form with photo, GPS location of the mammal, and any descriptive features of the mammal like size and observable symptoms: www.cimwi.org/online-rescue-form

- Do not eat unregulated shellfish.

How to help:

Frontline marine mammal rescue organizations need donations for everything from sea lion fish food to rescue equipment, and to cover sharply increased operational costs like electricity and water during this crisis.

Santa Barbara and Channel Islands, Ventura

Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) www.cimwi.org

Los Angeles County Marine Mammal Care www.marinemammalcare.org

Marine Animal Rescue www.marspecialists.org

Malibu and Topanga California Wildlife Center www.cawildlife.org

San Diego and Orange County Pacific Marine Mammal Center www.pacificmmc.org

San Luis Obispo Marine Mammal Center www.marinemammalcenter.org

These harmful algae blooms are especially affecting sea lions and dolphins (photo courtesy of CIMWI)

Mammal specialist, notes, “Our fish bill to feed the sea lions we took in was $30,000 alone in June. Our electricity and water bills spiked. We had three volunteers just answering calls and voicemails day and night all of June, and our team is just exhausted. Then we have the public asking us why we’re not there for each animal they call in. It’s heartbreaking for all of us and we wish we could do more.”

On a recent rescue mission with CIMWI at Butterfly Beach, there’s a large adult female actively seizing, and another two-year-old male is nearby, flopped up on the rocks. Ken, a CIMWI volunteer, is assessing the animals and calling them in to headquarters where their medical director decides what type of intervention if any to recommend. After posting informational signs about domoic acid and cordoning off an area around the sea lions to protect them from passersby, he moves on to Fernald Point. There, a volunteer who has come down from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito to help during the crisis has identified a one-year-old male, and has authorization to bring it into the hospital.

The volunteers expertly maneuver the sea lion into a kennel using a net, and this writer is recruited to hold the kennel so they can load him in. Normally a rescue like this would have four people or more, but with the volume of calls CIMWI is getting during this unprecedented crisis, even with volunteers from Shedd, Vancouver, and Jenkinson’s aquariums, SeaWorld, and the Marine Mammal Center, they are shorthanded. Once settled in his crate, the young male is curious and alert. He’s transported up to the hospital on Ken’s truck and assigned a number so that staff can track his progress.

At CIMWI’s hospital and rehab center, each animal is assessed, given any medicine needed and fluids to try and flush the domoic acid from their system. Anywhere from 10 to 12 volunteers and one full-time staff manager, who manages daily operations, monitor and care for the mammals daily, track their progress, and report back to Dover. They also send valuable data to NOAA for research and tracking.

The facility is the Vista Del Mar Union School and grounds donated by the Hollister family in 2011, complete with a 1920s auditorium and several outbuildings. Two small pools with specially calibrated filtration and 10 kennels as well as surgical suite, and a “fish kitchen” round out the facility.

On a recent tour, Dover points out all the improvements he’d like to make so that they can expand their efforts and handle the increasing levels of domoic acid crises happening. “We could use more pools, and it would be nice to make the auditorium into a place where we could have events or members of the public to learn about the ocean and the work we do here.” The Dovers have both foregone salaries for many years, which worked when there weren’t as many crisis events happening, but as the ocean warms, they’ll need more resources to meet the needs of the community.

Looking Ahead

While domoic acid surges causes are myriad, many scientists point to excess nutrients in the ocean like nitrogen and phosphorous as tipping things over the edge. These typically come from human wastewater and agricultural runoff, which can increase in years with heavy rains. Raphael Kudela, a professor in Ocean Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, notes, “If you got rid of the human addition of nutrients into the oceans from wastewater, these domoic acid crisis events would lessen.”

Woody Barrett, president of the Montecito Sanitary District, says that they’ve been actively looking at the human wastewater over the last few years and commissioned two studies to see how wastewater could be recycled and used for irrigation to reduce input into the ocean. They plan to take action on this soon. “We’re very active on this and have been for two years – we’re also looking to Sacramento as well, as legislation around water recycling and wastewater treatment has been percolating there for a while.”

Local resident Mark Greise , a 30-year resident of Santa Barbara who regularly fishes, dives, and surfs these waters, says in his years of living here, while he’s seen previous red tides he’s never seen one where dead dolphins are washing up on shore. “We’re such a rich county in the state, we should be able to put together resources to save our ocean life. If we don’t, we will all suffer.”

www.meghanwcleary.com

Montecito

“The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.” – Epicurus

Is the sea lion population at risk? (photo courtesy of CIMWI)

Meghan Cleary is a writer based in Los Angeles.

Upcoming @ MA

Thursday, July 20: Samuel Carl Adams is the highly-sought-after, not-yet-40-yearold American composer whose mesmerizing music weaves acoustic and digital sound together, much as his career has veered from performing improvised/electronic music in San Francisco to earning a master’s degree in composition from the Yale School of Music. Given that Adams taught yesterday’s piano master class and will have a world premiere tomorrow night, you have to imagine he’s also been working with the fellows’ string quartet and faculty percussionist Michael Werner for tonight’s performance of his 15-minute 2021 piece “Sundial” that the composer called a “series of musical shadows that, unbroken, reveal the passage of time in the shape of an inverted arc.” Also, on the X2 faculty-fellows program: Barber’s “Summer Music for Wind Quintet, Op. 31,” and Dvořák’s “String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 77.” (7:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $45)

Friday, July 21: With barely two-plus weeks left in the season, the events are coming fast and furious. Today’s fare includes a Showcase Series spotlight on the Collaborative Piano studio, pairing instrumental fellows with the piano specialists on pieces they’ve been perfecting, program TBA. (1:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $40)... The annual Innovation Institute Fast Pitch Competition is a Shark Tank-style (sans the controversy) new venture opportunity in which the fellows pitch their ideas for projects in a variety of fields that might serve to shape the future of classical music. The finalists compete for $10,000 in prizes to support their entrepreneurial efforts; the audience vote also can influence the panel of industry judges. (3:30 pm; Lehmann Hall; free)... Tonight’s Picnic Concert boasts the aforementioned premiere of Adams’ Études for Solo Piano (featuring all six fellows), plus Schumann’s “Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1, Op. 105,” and Mozart’s “Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581,” that also features faculty Richie Hawley on the reed. (7:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $40)

Saturday, July 22: Nope, still no symphony concert tonight, but there’s also no rest for the cello fellows as all 10 of ‘em are performing in the Academy’s first Cello Fest. The special concert gradually increases from three cellos for Haydn’s “Baryton Trio in D Major,” then four for a work by Mark Lomax II , eight for Bartok’s Hungarian Peasant Songs , adds soprano fellow Dalia Medovnikov for Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5,” and closes with the two faculty cellists joining in to make an even dozen for Klengel’s “Hymnus, Op. 75” and, appropriate, Pablo Casals’ “Sant Martí del Canigó .” Take that, Yo-Yo Ma ! (7:30 pm; Hahn Hall; $40)

Sunday, July 23: Some events are so special they’re not even on the Academy calendar. Such is the case with Music & Art at SBMA, part of the Museum of Art’s Beyond Conversations series dedicated to engaging with the most challenging art of our time. The inaugural event brings together Awol Erizku, best known for photographing Beyoncé and whose iconic photograph of Amanda Gorman and golden mirrored mosaic sculpture of Nefertiti are on display at SBMA, and several Music Academy fellows in an experimental performance combining contemporary art and classical music. A reception in the galleries is followed by a performance in Mary Craig Auditorium. (5 pm; 1130 State St.; $65)

Tuesday, July 25: The official years-long partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra winds up with today’s Chamber Showcase featuring four visiting principals from the esteemed ensemble (plus two Academy faculty pianists) delivering a taste of the classics from across the pond including works by Haydn, Britten, Reynaldo Hahn, Carlos Salzedo, and 27-year-old Scottish composer Electra Perivolaris. (7:30 pm; Lehmann Hall; $55)

Wednesday, July 26: The fifth Chamber Nights salon-style fellows’ concert is deep enough in the summer that there’s just two pieces on the program, each running about half an hour, so settle in with your wine and wallow in the wonderment of Dohnányi’s “Sextet in C Major, Op. 37,” and Schumann’s “Piano Quintet in E-flat Major,

unique designs, creative innovations, and stunning appearances.”

The Lobero, founded as Jose Lobero’s Opera House in 1873, was later rebuilt in 1924 in a Spanish Colonial Revival style designed by architects George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs.

It is the oldest continuously operating theater in California, and the fourth oldest performing arts theater in the country.

Jenna Hamilton-Rolle Joins A&L Team

Jenna Hamilton-Rolle, former director of education at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the Sea Center, is the new director of education and community engagement for UCSB Arts & Lectures.

She brings many community connections to her new role, including administrators and educators at the Goleta and Santa Barbara Unified school districts, and as a former instructor at Santa Barbara City College.

Hamilton-Rolle earned a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and her Master of Science in geological and earth sciences from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

She officially joins the UCSB team on August 15.

Scholarship Foundation

Names Melinda Cabrera President

Melinda Cabrera , who as Vice President of United Way of Santa Barbara County helped spearhead the organization’s robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been named president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.

“Melinda comes to us with an

impressive record of community engagement and energetic leadership,” says foundation board chair Danna McGrew. “Our search committee was struck by her work ethic, her commitment to collaboration, and her obvious enthusiasm for efforts to improve the lives of area residents.”

A native of Apple Valley, California, Cabrera earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at Loyola Marymount University before being named assistant director of guest services at the Santa Barbara Zoo. She joined United Way in 2013, serving first as a community impact officer, and later as director of strategic partnerships from 2016 to 2020.

She succeeds Mary Dwyer, who has led the foundation as interim president and CEO since January.

Sightings

Actor-comedian Steve Martin noshing at Ca’Dario on CVR... Gwyneth Paltrow and TV producer husband Brad Falchuk frolicking in the Hamptons... Oprah Winfrey at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans.

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

Op. 44.” (7:30 pm; Lehmann Hall; $45)

Get ready for the very first Cello Fest this Saturday at Hahn Hall (courtesy photo)

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

Jenna Hamilton-Rolle joins UCSB Arts & Lectures as its new director of education and community engagement (courtesy photo)

Melinda Cabrera, new president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation (photo by Phil Channing)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Calendar of Events

by Steven Libowitz

FRIDAY, JULY 21

Beach Boy in Ojai – Let’s get one thing clear: Al Jardine long ago left the Beach Boys, 25 years back, in fact, following the death of Carl Wilson in 1998, although he did reunite with the ‘Boys for the 2012 50th anniversary tour. But on the other hand, Jardine was a co-founder of the surf band turned pop music superstars along with the Wilson clan, mostly playing rhythm guitar and singing harmony (and sometimes lead) vocals. But Jardine’s solo career was largely put aside save for a single release, and what he mostly does is tour as part of Brian Wilson’s band. With the troubled genius back on the shelf since last summer, Jardine is journeying this July in another intriguing iteration called The Family & Friends Tour. The Beach Boys’ legend will be joined on stage by Brian’s daughters, Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips, along with Al’s son, Matt Jardine – who has toured for many years with both The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson – and sings lead on “God Only Knows,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” and “Surf’s Up,” among others. Meanwhile, the eight-member band is led by Rob Bonfiglio, Wilson Phillips’ musical director, also a Brian Wilson regular. Which means we’ll hear hits ranging from such summertime sounds as “Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls,” “I Get Around,” and “Good Vibrations,” to Wilson Phillips favorites “Hold On,” “The Dream is Still Alive,” “You’re in Love,” “Impulsive,” and “Release Me.”

ONGOING

Arts al fresco – Concerts in the Park continues at Great Meadow in Chase Palm Park across from the beach. This week (July 20): ‘50s and ‘60s rock and roll hits complete with kitschy costumes and corny jokes courtesy of Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries. Next week (July 27): The 2023 series comes to close with Mezcal Martini playing Latin Jazz.

WHEN: 6-7:30 pm

WHERE: 300 E. Cabrillo Blvd.

COST: free

INFO: (805) 564-5418 or www.santabarbaraca.gov

Also on July 20, is the monthly installment of Mesa Music Nites, offering its own version of a concert in the park at its new venue of Elings Park, high atop Las Positas Rd. with ocean and city views. Food, drinks, vendors, and a raffle, and lots of room to dance to July juke jointers, The Cadillac Angels.

WHEN: 5:30-7:30 pm

WHERE: 1298 Las Positas Rd.

COST: free

INFO: www.sbmesa.org

UCSB A&L summer film series Out of this World turns to comedy with Mars Attacks! (the exclamation point is the giveaway) at Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens on July 21, where the fun is always more about the atmosphere than the film.

WHEN: 8:30 pm

WHERE: 1100 Anacapa St.

COST: free

INFO: www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

Next up at Rancho La Patera lakeside site for the Music at the Ranch series is flamenco, jazz, and lots of other styles with guitar great Tony Ybarra (July 25).

WHEN: 5:30-7:30 pm

WHERE: 304 N. Los Carneros Road, Goleta

COST: free

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

THURSDAY, JULY 20

Jammin’ with Jerry – Musicians don’t come much more accomplished than dobro master Jerry Douglas, who has not only made a bunch of his own recordings but also appeared on more than 1,600 other albums as a session musician, guest artist, or producer. Plus, he’s a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station and founder for the Grammy-winner bluegrass supergroup, The Earls of Leicester. Douglas, who has appeared countless times at the Lobero and all over town, will be joined by his current band of fellow highly-decorated players and festival favorites featuring Daniel Kimbro on bass, Christian Sedelmyer on fiddle, and Mike Seal on guitar. Expect deep roots music including bluegrass and folk that spreads out into the Americana and jazz landscapes and beyond.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

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

COST: $35 & $45 ($106 VIP includes premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres)

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

WHEN: 6 pm

WHERE: Libbey Bowl, 210 S. Signal Ave., Ojai COST: $48-$98

INFO: (805) 272-3881 / https://libbeybowl.org or https://wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/libbey-bowl-ojai/

SATURDAY, JULY 22

Curry Does Denver – It’s been a bit more than a quarter-century since the folk-country singer-songwriter John Denver died when his home-built light aircraft crashed into Monterey Bay in October 1997. It was less than three years later that CBS produced a TV movie, Take Me Home: The John Denver Story, that starred Chad Lowe but featured the voice of Jim Curry singing Denver’s hits on the soundtrack. Despite the movie’s lukewarm reception, Curry has continued to perform tribute concerts to Denver more or less ever since, including singing at Denver’s induction to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and hosting the official touring John Denver Estate show. Curry has won favor for his ability to mirror John’s voice and clean-cut look, taking listeners back to the time when “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine,” “Calypso,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” ruled the radio. Denver’s drummer, Richie Gajate Garcia, is part of Curry’s current band, which performs a new tribute to the late singer-songwriter’s life and legacy. Projections of rare photos and videos of Denver and stories about his life are featured along with the songs that made him a star whose career included 15 platinum albums.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street

COST: $36-$96

INFO: (805) 899-2222 or www.granadasb.org

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Craft Brews Meet Adobe Views – Brew fests in parks and harbors have proliferated almost as fast as brew pubs, which several years ago overtook coffeehouses and regular bars and nightclubs as popular gathering places. Now the two are merging with the Downtown Organization’s newest event: the Downtown Summer Brew Fest. Casa De La Guerra just off State Street serves as a beer paradise for a Sunday afternoon, offering attendees the chance to embrace summer vibes as they sample a wide selection of unique and refreshing craft brews from some of the finest local breweries. Among the nearby breweries participating are Institution Ale, Third Window, Night Lizard, M. Special, Wylde Works, Draughtsmen, Figueroa Mountain, Validation Ale, Calidad, Island Brewing, and Flying Embers. Enjoy live music from The Last Decade, who, contrary to their name, play alternative rock songs that date back to the 1990s.

WHEN: 2-6 pm

WHERE: 15 E. De La Guerra St.

COST: $45 in advance, $50 at the door

INFO: www.downtownsb.org/events/summer-brew-fest

Nothing but…Boyle – Longtime Montecito-based writer and author T.C. Boyle heads downtown from his Frank Lloyd Wright-designed digs to dish about his latest book. In what has become a much-anticipated and highly-animated annual event – that’s not hyperbole, for those who’ve never heard Boyle bring it in person – the writer will read from and talk about his latest novel, Blue Skies, described as “an eco-thriller with teeth.” The great writer Annie Proulx (Brokeback Mountain) tellingly calls Boyle’s book, “Brilliantly imaginative... in a terrifying way,” an apt description for a story that combines high-octane plotting with mordant wit and shrewd social commentary. And also perhaps offers the sagely advice about our current climate crisis: When once rare epic natural disasters happen every week, what is left to do but drink? Book signing to follow.

WHEN: 5:30 pm

WHERE: Mary Craig Auditorium at SB Museum of Art, 1130 State St.

COST: $10 general, $5 museum members

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

Phillips Plus – Hearing the masterful singer-songwriter Glen Phillips perform solo at SOhO is a true treat, but one that we get to enjoy a few times a year at least. But tonight, Phillips, who still serves as front man for Toad the Wet Sprocket (they just played in Ojai), is performing with a full band, well worth hearing for the rarity. It may actually also include Shhhhh, the L.A.-based Americana-folk duo composed of Rheanna Downey and Molly Jenson, who joined forces recently, and their blended old country and new folk sound proves the old adage that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

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

COST: $20

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

FRIDAY, JULY 21

‘Such Ferocious Beauty’ – That’s the title of the Cowboy Junkies’ new album, released just last month, the latest moody masterpiece from Toronto’s sibling quartet featuring guitarist-writer Michael Timmins, singer Margo Timmins, and drummer Peter Timmins, along with Alan Anton, Michael’s childhood friend and a member since the band’s 1988 debut. The songs’ signature languid landscapes, as always, have the ability to communicate volumes before the lyrics kick in, and have added lots of edges over the years.

The words, meanwhile, continue Michael’s evolution in ruminating on aging, losing parents, facing mortality, and creating space for one’s life in the midst of the ruin that comes from merely living, all delivered over the Junkies’ tangle of sonic textures. Such ferocious beauty indeed.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

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

COST: $55 & $65 ($106 VIP includes premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres)

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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 805-940-6888

Art Gallery Assistant. Experience in Sales. Saturday Availability. 30 hours per month.

Mac Familiar.

Call 805-729-8454

HOUSESITTING & PET SERVICES

TLC PET & HOUSESITTING

Excellent References

Dove: 805-637-8086

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

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

RENTAL WANTED

Relocating to Montecito from Austin. Two adults looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, home or guesthouse that will accommodate two small dogs that will stay in Austin most of the time (dogs in Montecito two months out of the year total).

Would prefer a one year rental. Contact mobile 512-988-6217.

Can provide references and verification of income

• 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

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

$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 (3% surcharge)

Bird Sanctuary Menagerie 2430 Lillie Avenue

Summerland, CA 93067 (805) 969-1944

Donate to the Parrot Pantry!

At SB Bird Sanctuary, backyard farmer’s bounty is our birds best bowl of food! The flock goes bananas for your apples, oranges & other homegrown fruits & veggies.

Volunteers

Do you have a special talent or skill? Do you need community service hours? The flock at SB Bird Sanctuary could always use some extra love and socialization. Call us and let’s talk about how you can help. (805) 969-1944

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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

ByPeteMuller&FrankLongo

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