Resources
STARS IN THE SUN: Catalina may not be the getaway for Hollywood nobility — like Clark Gable — it once was, but the island still offers serious respite for those inundated by the daily grind.
monument to Wrigley is the 12-story circular structure known as the Casino built in 1929. Upstairs, the Casino boasted the world’s largest dance floor and ballroom; downstairs was a movie theater of equal splendor, which is still in use. For dinner we went to the Avalon Grille, which gives off a traditional vibe with its dark-wood decor but still manages to come across as airy, elegant, and contemporary. The manager and the chef had knocked themselves out preparing an eight-course extravaganza of off-the-menu meals that qualified as a gastronomical Fourth of July. The feast included quail breast with mango relish demi-glace, roast fig, and butter-soaked mashed potatoes; lamb ragout with a concoction of white beans; lobster-claw-and-mussel risotto; and mushroom bisque served in a tiny espresso cup splashed with a spoonful of
Descanso Cabana Rentals, 1 St. Catherine Wy., (310) 510-7410 Avalon Grille, 423 Crescent Ave.; (310) 510-7494
Health Education+ Classes
Zip Line Eco-Tour, (800) 626-1496
Catalina Express , (800) 481-3470 Santa Catalina Island Company, visitcatalinaisland.com
JAN UARY 2014
lemon oil. Each course was paired with just the right wine, all Rusack, which has a main winery in Ballard Canyon as well as a vineyard on the island. Catalina is a humming, thoroughly integrated tourist destination, operated with obvious expertise by the Santa Catalina Island Company. But being midweek visitors at the tail end of the season, we had the island pretty much to ourselves. When we took the zip-line tour — traversing about one mile in five separate descents, which started in the backcountry and ended up near the beach, and offering startling canyon and ocean views — the guides outnumbered their charges by at least two to one. Later, we went snorkeling; there was no shortage of the bright orange garibaldi — the island’s signature underwater sensation — as well as other sea critters. We were enveloped by great clouds of tiny blue-and-orange fishlettes or bombarded by what looked to be either sardines or anchovies. Fortunately, there was no evidence of the 12-foot great white the wet-suit vendors reported seeing in the harbor the previous day. Next we took to the kayaks, paddling along the coast from cove to cove. The color of the water — a great mix of cobalt blues and copper greens — was spectacular. Every now and again, a sea lion lumbered by, close enough to hear its breathing but not close enough to smell its breath. There are few better places to watch the world go to sleep than the balcony at Villa Portofino. If you go to Catalina, maybe you don’t get too far, but you definitely do get away, and when I got back, I didn’t stink so much. ■
DIABETES EDUCATION
Diabetes Basics Santa Barbara ($15) Wed 1/15 & 1/22 5:15–6:45 pm This is a 2-part program. Diabetes Basics in Spanish Santa Barbara ($15) Tues 1/14 & 1/21 5:00–6:45 pm
New Program for 2014 CAREGIVERS FOR LOVED ONES WITH DEMENTIA EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUP Each month a new topic will be presented and there will be time for group discussion.
Santa Barbara (Free) - 3rd Thursday of each month Thu 1/16 • 4:30–6:00 pm, 215 Pesetas Lane
Diabetes Blood Sugar Control Santa Barbara ($10) Wed 1/29 • 5:15–6:45pm
LYMPHEDEMA EDUCATION
FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP
PRE-DIABETES
LYMPHEDEMA SCREENING
HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT
Santa Barbara ($10) Wed 1/29 • 5:15–6:45 pm BARIATRIC SURGERY ORIENTATION
Santa Barbara (Free) Mon 1/13 • 6:00–7:30 pm Lompoc (Free) Wed 1/15 • 6:00–7:30 pm
Santa Barbara (Free) Fri 1/10 • 11:30-12:30 pm
Santa Barbara (Free) Fri 1/24, by appointment only. Call (805) 682-7300 NUTRITION NAVIGATOR
Santa Barbara (Free) Wed 1/8 • 5:15–6:45 pm WOMENHEART SUPPORT GROUP
Santa Barbara (Free) Mon 1/13 • 4:30–6:00 pm
Santa Barbara (Free) Mon 1/6 • Noon–1:30 pm Santa Barbara (Free) Fri 1/10 • 1:00–2:30 pm NECK & POSTURE WELLNESS
Santa Barbara ($10) Tues 1/21 • 5:30–7:30 pm BACK WELLNESS
Santa Barbara ($10) Tues 1/7 • 5:30–7:30 pm
CANCER CENTER ONCOLOGY PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS • A bridge between standard cancer care and the nonmedical aspects of healing. • Programs include support, nutrition, yoga and more. • Resource Library provides answers to your questions about cancer. • Open to all cancer patients in the community and their family members and caregivers. For more information visit www.ccsb.org or call (805) 682-7300
Online Registration is Now Available!
For a complete schedule and detailed descriptions of all our Heath Education Programs and Events or to register online visit COURTESY CATALINA EXPRESS
COURTESY CATALINA ISLAND MUSEUM
Villa Portofino, 111 Crescent Ave., Avalon; (310) 510-0555
AFLOAT: The best place to be on Catalina is either under the water or right on top of it.
www.SansumClinic.org/Classes
Or call for registration, locations and more information.
Toll-free (866) 829-0909 HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER
Visit or call for answers to your health questions. Free of charge and open to the community. 215 Pesetas Lane, Santa Barbara (805) 681-7672 Sansum Clinic’s unified, patient-first approach to healthcare is built around you. We provide the full spectrum of healthcare services ranging from primary care to more than 30 specialties.
Learn more at www.SansumClinic.org jaNuary 2, 2014
THE INDEPENDENT
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