Welcome to the REEF! Inspiring Ocean Advocates for 20 years

by Stella Haffner

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

“YSimon

.

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

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

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

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

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

Simon supplemented his days in the water with part-time jobs, working as a dishwasher, a nail-puller, and a carpenter. He credits the effective communication style he has today to this real-world experience: “It teaches you to think in a different way. Scientists have a reputation for being bad communicators. I work really hard to figure out ways to improve that perception.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the shores of Scotland, Stella Haffner keeps her connection to her home in Montecito by bringing grads of local schools to the pages of the Montecito Journal having to go up against 20 other offers, so sometimes they are willing to pay a premium for that exclusivity factor.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The above data helps define where inventory stands at a given time and how it moves over time, but analyzing these trends further reveals a mixed picture. Clarke noticed a positive shift with the inventory growing in recent months. She stated, “The inventory has started to grow more and more, especially in Montecito, which is a wel- come relief.” Some of this can be attributed to seasonal selling, but there is certainly an upward trend in inventory levels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Epiphany Tasting Garden in Los Olivos has been revamped to include a new wine service bar outdoors (courtesy photo) open to the public, we’ve already had businesses from Montecito and Santa Barbara stop by.” And don’t wonder, Janicek reassured that the lounge meets all fire protection permitting and hotel policies for a smoking area.

I sat and talked with Williams about the cigar experience, his suggestions for someone new to cigars, and why his brand stands out among the others. He said, “For newbies, we recommend the Cohiba Connecticut cigar, it is a blend of six different tobaccos from five different countries, very approachable and good complexity. What sets us apart in the luxury cigar space is we offer an unrivaled range as it relates to diversity in our brand. We have great tobacco from the most distinct regions of the world. Our job is to make cigars you like, so we constantly innovate.” strength to the institute and bolsters its longevity. In their collective response to Dr. Kimbriel’s question, those present demonstrated both a philosophical and experiential understanding of our culture.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amélie Dieux is a French born freelance writer and world traveler – on a mission to provide information with articles that delight and inspire that I get to live and work here! This is also a very exciting time to be joining the Casa, with our 100-year anniversary coming up in 2025 we will be embarking on a significant campaign of restoration and conservation for the structure, gardens, and art collection. It is an enchanting place to work, and I am ecstatic over the discoveries that are bound to be made in regard to the art collection.

411: www.casadelherrero.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

411: www.sbclinics.org