VOICE Magazine: December 12, 2025

Photo by John Palminteri

DECEMBER

Stuart Malina, Guest Conductor

Madison Claire Parks, Vocalist

New Memories, Timeless Tradition The Nutcracker

By Daisy Scott / VOICE

art children’s fantasy, part symphonic masterpiece, The Nutcracker ballet will exhilarate more returning and firsttime audiences than ever before, as State Street Ballet makes an unprecedented grand jeté to add a fourth encore performance for the first time in the company’s 31 years. Performances will now run December 19th through the 21st at the Granada Theatre, inviting all to partake in a tradition that transcends centuries and cultures.

“It’s a part of the holidays for everybody. It’s an international ballet that is performed every year in every country” said State Street Ballet Artistic Director Megan Philipp in an interview with VOICE. “Santa Barbara has such a heart for the performing arts, and a love of music and a love of dance, and it’s a production that brings everybody together, every year.”

In a town where tradition permeates every corner, The Nutcracker acts, for many, as the culmination of Santa Barbara’s holiday season, full of exciting battles, romance, and mischievous tomfoolery. Originally premiered in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker follows Clara, a young girl who is gifted a magical nutcracker doll for Christmas. That evening, Clara is astonished to witness her nutcracker battle an army of mice and the formidable Mouse King. When the fight is over, Clara’s nutcracker transforms into a prince, and the pair continue their adventures with a journey to the fantastical Land of Sweets.

State Street Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker have been met with national as well as local acclaim. The company recently toured its production with the Spokane Symphony in Washington and is celebrating its 20th anniversary year of taking the production to Durango, Colorado.

In Santa Barbara, international and local ballet stars will take to the stage to present four performances. Many dancers are celebrating milestones themselves this year, including company member Noam Tsivkin, who has danced in ten State Street Ballet Nutcracker productions and will return in the titular Nutcracker role.

“There is a muscle memory portion to it, but you do need to be present and engaged in the role every time,” shared Tsivkin with VOICE

As State Street Ballet utilizes rotating casts, company member Ethan Ahuero will also take the stage as the Nutcracker, giving Tsivkin the opportunity to deliver his debut performance in the role of the Snow King. He shared that rehearsing for the role’s memorable pas de deux has been challenging and rewarding.

“I’ve been dancing since my first Nutcracker when I was five,” said Tsivkin. “Before every show, no matter what, I still get stage fright or nerves, but you use that as a tool to give you that adrenaline rush. Right now, I’m feeling that even more with Snow King, since it’s so new, but that satisfaction that you get once it is over, and you feel like you’ve done it justice, that’s what I chase every time.”

Company member Brenna Chumacero is celebrating her fourth year dancing in the role of Clara.

“I love to change it up just a little bit each year,” Chumacero told VOICE. “I feel I really get to understand the character more each year, especially technique-wise and interacting with the students on stage.”

Between 100 to 150 local students will take to the stage for The Nutcracker’s big ensemble scenes, ranging from young, new dancers to aspiring professionals.

“They really look up to all the older dancers, and I love being an inspiration for them to keep pushing and trying harder,” said Chumacero. “This is fun! I love performing and

The Snow Queen (Aimee Le) and her snowflakes perform their graceful arabesque

Photos by Heidi Bergseteren

Story continued on page 5

State Street Ballet company dancer Brenna Chumacero will return as Clara

Company dancer

Akari Kato will also perform as Clara for one of this year’s shows

Photos by Heidi Bergseteren

seeing all their faces getting to dance with the professionals, it’s one of my favorite parts.”

The role of Clara will also be danced by company member Akari Kato and Academy students Sloan Brookshire and Amanda Kabaretti. Saori Yamashita and Ryan Lenkey, who recently wowed audiences in State Street Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet (and became engaged onstage during its final show), as well as dancers Akari Kato and Harold Mendez, will alternate performing the ballet’s iconic Sugar Plum Pas De Deux

The Opera San Luis Obispo Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Brian Asher Alhadeff, will fill the Granada with Tchaikovsky’s stirring, unrivaled score, including well-loved pieces such as the Waltz of the Flowers, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and all of the spotlights on the Land of Sweets’ dancers.

The Manitou Fund and Nora McNeely Hurley are the sponsors for all live music for the State Street Ballet’s 2025-2026 season. For tickets ($30-130) visit granadasb.org The Nutcracker Story continued from page 4

“That makes all the difference because every show is unique,” said Tsivkin. “Obviously for the dancing, no two shows are quite exactly the same even though the choreography might be the same, but when you have that marriage between the conductor going off the dancers and also leading the orchestra... That to me is my favorite part of the year, every year, working with the orchestra and finding that collaboration.”

Tickets are now on sale through the Granada Theatre box office, with subsidized tickets available for families in need to ensure all audiences can continue or start their own Nutcracker tradition this year. Contact office@statestreetballet.com for more information.

Performances will be held at 6pm on Friday, December 19th; 2pm and 7:30pm on Saturday, December 20th, and at 2pm on Sunday, December 21st.

...psst, cue the Holiday jingle!

Montecito Bank & Trust is spreading holiday cheer Giving back to the community for over 50 years

We our nonprofits and all that they give They make our communities better places to live

We support local residents and businesses too Volunteer our time and foster penguins at the zoo

We have 13 branches along the Central Coast When it comes to great service, we’re the one with the most!

With so many great clients, there are plenty to thank We’re so grateful to be your community bank

So to spread some good tidings and holiday cheer

We wish you Happy Holidays and a joyful new year!

Dancer Arianna Hartanov battles the Nutcracker as a daunting Mouse Queen

Chocolate Dancer Maria Rapisarda entertains Clara in the Land of Sweets

Photos by Heidi Bergseteren

Community News

Parade of Lights & Winter Wonderland Festival

SPARKLING LIGHTS AND TONS OF SNOW will brighten Santa Barbara at the Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland Festival at the Waterfront on Sunday December 14th. The event is in its 39th year.

Beginning the festivities will be the Winter Wonderland Festival on the City Pier in the Santa Barbara Harbor. Where there will be holiday elves, 10 tons of snow, goodie bags, and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus! The Winter Wonderland area will be open to families and friends from 3 to 5pm.

At 2 pm, the Human-Powered category of the parade will take place during daylight. There will be dozens of standup paddlers and kayakers dressed in festival attire while looping the Harbor and Stearns Wharf. Then, at 5:30pm, around 30 illuminated watercraft will light up the night as they make their way from Leadbetter Beach down the coast to the Cabrillo Pavilion, then back along the coast to Stearns Wharf.

The parade will be followed by a brief fireworks show starting at approximately 7pm. The best viewing locations for the boat parade and fireworks include Stearns Wharf, the breakwater, West Beach, and East Beach.

Registration for the competition is still open, and, as always, it’s free to enter! Participants can enter one of the five categories: human-powered, power, sail, commercial fishing, or commercial other. Pick up your entry form at the Harbor Market, Harbor Fuel Dock, Paddle Sports Center, or the Waterfront Department Administration Office, or fill out the form online: https://forms.santabarbaraca.gov/f/fcoyiy199y2j.

This year’s Parade of Lights event is put on by the 2025 Parade of Lights Committee and sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants Association, Stearns Wharf Business Association, and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club.

For more info, contact Waterfront Public Information Officer Angela Rodriguez at ARodriguez@SantaBarbaraCA.gov or (805) 897-1962.

Michael McDonald To Join Grace Fisher at A Winter Music Showcase

PROVIDING CRITICAL FUNDS FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION IN

THE ARTS, Grace Fisher’s A Winter Music Showcase has transformed the spirit of giving into an evening of music and inspiration with its annual performance for the past eight years. This year, the Showcase will take place at the Granada Theatre on Sunday, December 14th at 6pm.

“The Winter Music Showcase continues to grow into something bigger than I could have ever imagined,” shared Grace Fisher, an awardwinning artist and composer. “It’s not just about the music, it’s about bringing people together, celebrating the extraordinary talents of our community, and proving that art has the power to transcend barriers.”

Since her senior year in high school in 2014, when Fisher contracted a virus that left her paralyzed from the neck down, she has dedicated herself to finding enlightenment and inspiring others through art and music.

What began as Fisher’s vision to make the arts accessible to people of all abilities has now become one of Santa Barbara’s holiday traditions.

The 2025 Showcase will feature a wide range of performances—from orchestral works to bands, choirs, dancers, and more—featuring the Santa Barbara Chamber Players, Jackson Gillies, Will Breman, the Waymarkers, Timo Nuñez’s Arte Flamenco Dance Studio, Chris Fossek, and more. Among these returning favorites, there will also be a special appearance by local Grammy Award winning artist, singer, and keyboardist Michael McDonald, formerly lead singer for the Doobie Brothers and currently playing with the Dukes of September.

Since its inception in 2016, the Grace Fisher Foundation has spread adaptive art, music, and dance to the disability community through innovative programs and its state-ofthe-art Inclusive Arts Clubhouse located at La Cumbre Plaza in Santa Barbara. Proceeds from the Winter Music Showcase directly fund these programs, ensuring people of all abilities have access to transformative experiences in the arts.

For tickets ($30-88) visit https://ticketing.granadasb.org/21515/21516. Group sales of ten or more receive a $10 discount by calling the box office. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for individuals and organizations wishing to support this impactful evening. Donations can be made at: https://www.gracefisherfoundation.org/donate.

Michael McDonald will perform

Grace Fisher

Photo courtesy of City of Santa Barbara

Photos courtesy of Grace Fisher Foundation

Photo by Danny Clinch

517 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara 1:00-5:00 Thursday-Sunday 805 962-5588 www.artlacuna.com

Sunday Dec 14 11:00-2 :00

DECEMBER 3-21

517 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara

517 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara

1:00-5:00 Thursday-Sunday 805 962-5588 www.artlacuna.com

1:00-5:00 Thursday-Sunday 805 962-5588 www.artlacuna.com

Sunday Dec 14 11:00-2 :00

Kirsten Høj

Kyle T. Hester Alyssa Anne Austin

Photo: Heidi Bergseteren

Rebecca August, The Fog at Coal Oil Point, oil board, 8x10 in.

Beth Westen, Four Protea #2, monotype w/pastel, 20.5x15.5 in.

Rebecca August, The Fog at Coal Oil Point, oil board, 8x10 in.

Beth Westen, Four Protea #2, monotype w/pastel, 20.5x15.5 in.

Rebecca August, The Fog at Coal Oil Point, oil board, 8x10 in.

Beth Westen, Four Protea #2, monotype w/pastel, 20.5x15.5 in.

Join the Community Chorus! 43rd Annual Messiah Sing Along Shares Holiday Joy

By Daisy Scott / VOICE

IMMERSING HUNDREDS IN THE MUSIC AND SPIRIT OF THE SEASON,

the Messiah Sing Along is one of most joyous annual cultural events to unite the Santa Barbara community. On Tuesday, December 16th, at 7:30pm, the First Presbyterian Church will once again resonate with harmonious “Hallelujahs” as this cherished benefit concert celebrates 43 years of supporting the Unity Shoppe, inviting all to participate in an interactive concert of Handel’s Messiah

Conductor Phillip McLendon will return for his 40th year to conduct four professional soloists, an orchestra of local musicians, and you, the audience, who will act as the chorus. Guests sit across different sections (soprano, alto, tenor, bass, and mixed voices) and follow along to present Handel’s masterpiece.

“There’s a lot of talent under the radar here in this town,” shared Roby Scott, who has helped organize every Messiah Sing

December 12th

Along since 1981 (in addition to being this writer’s father). “We’ve got a lot of good singers out in the audience. Most people come year after year, and they bring their own scores.”

The Messiah Sing Along’s history is steeped in family tradition and commitment. The concert was born out of KDB 93.7

FM, Santa Barbara’s classical radio station that was operated for decades by Roby and his father, Bob Scott. One winter, while surveying community needs to shape station programming, Roby discovered The Council of Christmas Cheer, the predecessor to the Unity Shoppe, who worked to ensure that no child went without a toy on Christmas. Moved by the organization’s mission, the father-son team came up with the idea of hosting an all-volunteer, community concert of Handel’s Messiah to raise funds.

The Sing Along has been held every year since, with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic. All organizers, performers, and church staff donate their time to ensure that

100 percent of the proceeds support Unity Shoppe. Hundreds of locals and out-of-town regulars attend each season to support Unity Shoppe and enjoy the concert’s feeling of community.

“My favorite part is just seeing all the people, seeing all my friends who come again and again and again,” shared Roby Scott. “For a lot of them, this is the only time I’ll see them all year long, but there are just still so many familiar faces.”

This year’s professional soloists include soprano Nichole Dechaine, alto Katelyn Neumann, tenor Myron Aguilar, and bass Evan Hughes. All locals, their accolades

collectively include performing on national and international opera stages as well as teaching at regional institutions.

The soloists, as well as the audience, will be accompanied by an orchestra of local musicians and students organized by SB City College Symphony Orchestra conductor James Mooy. Erin Bonski-Evans will perform as organist. As always, the night will conclude with the singing of Christmas carols and an encore “Hallelujah” chorus! Sing Along tickets are $10 and are on sale at Chaucer’s Books. Tickets will also be available at the door. Chaucer’s is also currently selling Messiah scorebooks for interested vocalists.

Photo courtesy of Roby Scott

Community News

Pink Wines for the Pink Ribbon Raises $2,500 for the Breast Cancer Resource Center of

IN A SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO SUPPORT LOCAL WOMEN BATTLING BREAST CANCER, the Women Winemakers & Culinarians Foundation has announced that its 2025 Pink Wines for the Pink Ribbon campaign raised $2,500 for the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara.

Running through September and October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the initiative united Santa Barbara County’s women winemakers to uplift those impacted by breast cancer. Reflecting the many shades of the pink ribbon, symbolizing hope, courage, and resilience, the Foundation’s members donated more than seven dozen bottles of rosé wine to raise awareness and funds for vital community resources.

Proceeds will help BCRC continue providing free, comprehensive support services, including individual counseling, client navigation, educational programs, wellness classes, and support groups. All are designed to empower clients and their families through every stage of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Santa Barbara County is home to one of the highest percentages of women winemakers per capita, nearly double the global industry average, making this collaboration especially meaningful. A toast to the women who donated their wines and generosity: Zaca Mesa, Wine Slut, The Valley Project, Two Wolves, Story of Soil, Solminer, Seagrape, Riverbench, Rideau, Piazza, Peake, Mi Casa, Marbeso, Luna Hart, Lucas & Lewellen, Loubud, Lincourt, Lepiane, Lavender Oak, Kunin, Jaffurs, Holus Bolus, Future Perfect, Foley, Final Girl, Dreamcote, Cote of Paint, Clementine Carter, Carhartt, Camins 2 Dreams, Cambria, Babcock, Amevive, Amber Rose, Alma Rosa, and A Tribute to Grace! To learn more visit bcrcsb.org or sbwomenwinemakers.com

Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara Raises Record Amount at Community Leaders Luncheon

OVER 300 COMMUNITY MEMBERS united for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara’s 2025 Community Leaders Luncheon on December 5th, celebrating Foundation supporters, volunteers, and community partners. The event grossed a record $93,125 in sponsorships and ticket donations, which will support local students on their education journeys.

County superintendent of schools, addressed luncheon attendees

Hosted at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, the luncheon’s featured speakers included Dr. Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools, as well as Dr. Casey Whipple, a family practice physician at Cottage Primary Care in Goleta and a former Scholarship Foundation recipient. The day also honored Patty MacFarlane, a former Scholarship Foundation Board president and longtime community advocate, and former scholarship recipient Donna Weidl, who now serves on the Foundation Board and is a senior vice president at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

“This year’s Community Leaders Luncheon underscored an important and underappreciated truth: Our work reverberates throughout the local community in the form of former recipients who return to build careers and contribute to the region’s economic vitality,” said SBSF President and CEO Melinda Cabrera. “We take tremendous pride in our efforts to assist area students and families, and in the Foundation’s enduring impact throughout Santa Barbara County. We are grateful for our community’s support.”

In May 2025, SFSB awarded over $7.7 million in scholarships to 2,125 students throughout Santa Barbara County. The foundation is the nation’s largest community-based provider of college scholarships. sbscholarship.org

Carpinteria Children’s Project Awarded Santa Barbara Foundation Grant

IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE LOCAL IMMIGRANT FAMILIES EXTRA SUPPORT, the Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP) has been awarded a grant through the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Critical Needs Response Fund. A newly created program supporting nonprofits delivering essential services, the CNRF’s award to CCP will allow the organization to assist families with grocery deliveries, essential supplies, and other emerging needs.

“We are so grateful that the Santa Barbara Foundation chose to fund critical needs like those we are seeing in the Carpinteria community,” said Teresa Alvarez, CCP Executive Director. “Families have been torn apart and caused to live in fear. This funding will allow us to continue to meet increased demand for the basic assistance that is so desperately needed.”

Through the new grant, CCP will hire a part-time volunteer coordinator to identify community needs and appropriately direct volunteers and services. In the wake of increased ICE operations, CCP has expanded services to monitor local families’ needs and operate as a volunteer hub to collect donations and organize assistance efforts.

The CNRF was created in response to the emerging overwhelming needs in the nonprofit community, offering short-term, timely support to nonprofit organizations with the goal of providing flexible resources that help organizations adapt, respond, and remain resilient in a shifting landscape.

“The Santa Barbara Foundation serves as a community convener, advocate, and philanthropic first responder to ensure our region is prepared and equipped to effectively respond to challenges,” said Liz Thasiah, SBF Vice President of Programs. carpchildren.org

Crying in H Mart Named UCSB Reads 2026 Book, Author Michelle Zauner to Visit

CELEBRATING ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR, UCSB

Reads has selected Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart, a vibrant memoir about identity, food, grief, and KoreanAmerican culture. UCSB Reads, the university’s awardwinning common book program, will begin in January with a free book distribution for UCSB students. The UCSB Library will host a range of free learning and social events to explore the book’s themes throughout the winter and spring quarters. The program will culminate with a free, public talk by Michelle Zauner at UCSB’s Campbell Hall on May 7th, 2026, presented in partnership with UCSB Arts & Lectures. library.ucsb.edu

Courtesy photo

Dr. Susan Salcido, SB

Photos by Jay Farbman

Sunny Doench Stricker, Future Perfect Wine, Mary Harris, Karen Steinwachs, Seagrape Wine Co., Christine Montalvo, BCRC Advisory Board Member, and Armando Martinez, BCRC Director of Donor Engagement

Photo courtesy of UCSB Library

Melinda Cabrera, SBSF President and CEO

City of SB Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the City of Santa Barbara the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This is the 37th year that the City has achieved this distinguished award, according to City Finance Director, Keith DeMartini.

“There is a tremendous amount of work that goes in to producing this very complex set of financial statements, and I’d like to recognize the leadership and commitment of Finance Department staff for getting it done, as well as the great collaboration with staff in all City departments. The City has made great strides in increasing the transparency and usability of financial and budget information in recent years and will continue to do so with future reporting enhancements,” DeMartini said.

GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for its more than 25,000 members and the communities they serve. The City’s Fiscal Year 2024 financial report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

santabarbaraca.gov/finance/budget-reports

Community News

Public Asked to Spot Traffic-Calming Features For AI Bike Map Project

AN OPEN INVITATION TO ASSIST IN TRAINING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE to build a user friendly county wide bike map has been announced by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, as it begins a project called “12 Days of Mapping.”

“This project depends on residents who know their streets best,” said Peter Williamson, transportation planner for SBCAG. “AI can help us scale the mapping work, but the accuracy comes from people riding, walking, observing, and sharing what they see. Every contribution makes the map better for all.”

The project asks the public to identify traffic-calming features in their neighborhoods and add them to OpenStreetMap, a free open-source map, to help train artificial intelligence for SBCAG’s AI Bike Map Project.

The campaign highlights visuals of common traffic-calming infrastructure — such as speed humps, speed tables, raised crosswalks, raised intersections, chicanes, curb extensions, speed cushions, realigned intersections, median islands, diverters, forced turn islands, and full or partial street closures — and asks the public to help document where these features exist throughout Santa Barbara County.

The AI Bike Mapping and Wayfinding Project is a partnership between SBCAG, UC Santa Barbara, and Simon Fraser University to create a modern, comfort-based bike map using both AI and community-reported data. The work is funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant.

La Ciudad de

SB reconocida por su excelencia en la elaboración de informes financieros

LA GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION of the United States and Canada (GFOA) concedió a la Ciudad de Santa Bárbara el Certificado de Logro a la Excelencia en la Información Financiera por su Informe Financiero Integral Anual (ACFR) correspondiente al ejercicio fiscal que finalizó el 30 de junio de 2024.

El Certificado de Aprovechamiento es la forma más alta de reconocimiento en contabilidad gubernamental e información financiera, y su obtención representa un logro significativo por parte de un gobierno y su gestión. Según Keith DeMartini, director de Finanzas de la Ciudad (Finance Director), este es el 37.º año en que la Ciudad recibe este distinguido galardón.

“La elaboración de este complejo conjunto de estados financieros requiere un trabajo ingente, y me gustaría reconocer el liderazgo y el compromiso del personal del Departamento de Finanzas por hacerlo posible, así como la extraordinaria colaboración del personal de todos los departamentos municipales. En los últimos años, la Ciudad ha dado pasos importantes para aumentar la transparencia y la facilidad de uso de la información financiera y presupuestaria, y continuará avanzando con futuras mejoras en los informes”, declaró DeMartini.

La GFOA promueve la excelencia en las finanzas públicas al proporcionar mejores prácticas, desarrollo profesional, recursos e investigación aplicada a sus más de 25,000 miembros. El informe financiero del año fiscal 2024 de la Ciudad fue evaluado por un panel independiente que determinó que cumplía con los altos estándares del programa, incluidos los requisitos para demostrar un constructivo “espíritu de divulgación completa” con el fin de comunicar claramente su información financiera y motivar a los posibles usuarios o grupos de usuarios a leer el informe.

A bicycle comfort classification system developed with an ad hoc working group evaluates trafficcalming features, bike lanes with and without buffers, roadway shoulders, gravel paths, and other elements that affect how safe and comfortable a route feels to riders. These inputs will support a bike map that is easily updated and widely accessible to the public.

“The countywide mapping challenge gives anyone who bikes or walks a hands-on way to improve our bike map,” said Aaron Bonfilio, director of multimodal programs for SBCAG. “A few clicks to document pavement types, intersection treatments, or traffic-calming features on OpenStreetMap can make a real difference in how accurate and helpful the AI bike map will be.”

A step-by-step tutorial for the “12 Days of Mapping” and OpenStreetMap is available at: English: https://bit.ly/4oBEaBh Spanish: https://bit.ly/4psvVc6

To learn more about the AI Bike Mapping and Wayfinding Project, visit sbcag.org/project/AIbikemap

For questions about the AI Bike Map project or the countywide mapping effort, contact SBCAG by phone at (805) 600-4477 or by email at info@sbcag.org

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute Names Dr. Andrew Rhinehart New CEO

ANDREW S. RHINEHART, MD, FACP, FACE, CDCES, is the new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. Dr. Rhinehart is the former Senior Medical Director for Global Clinical Research & Medical Science at Medtronic Diabetes. He has led strategic execution of dozens of global trials, is a published researcher and inventor with patented innovations, and a Board-certified Internal Medicine physician specializing in diabetology. He has also worked as a principal investigator and contributor to next-generation CGM and AID systems. sansum.org

To have your news included in VOICE Magazine, please email information to News@VoiceSB.com

Dr. Andrew Rhinehart

Photo courtesy of SBCAG

MYSTERY BOOK SALE PREVIEW NIGHT

Hosted by the Friends of the Santa Barbara Public Library

SANTA BARBARA CENTRAL LIBRARY

Friday, December 12 • Reception 5:30-7:30pm • Tickets: $25 (purchase online at friends-sblibrary.org)

Join us for an exclusive first pick at our Mystery Book Sale-an evening filled with great reads, good company, and literary surprises! Your ticket grants early access to a huge selection of mystery novels, from beloved classics to hidden gems, before the public sale opens the following day, Saturday December 13 from 10am to 5pm. Enjoy wine and light refreshments, the Art from the Pages exhibit, and support the Friends of the Library as we raise funds for programs and services that benefit our entire community.

Community News

Hillside:

Shining Light On Abilities

THE 9TH ANNUAL SHINING LIGHT ON ABILITIES DISPLAY is brighter than ever at Hillside, where everyone is welcome to visit and experience festive holiday decorations and over 50,000 lights every night after sunset throughout the month of December. A free, family-friendly, holiday tradition, you can find it at 1235 Veronica Springs Road in Santa Barbara.

The Open House kickoff for Shining Light on Abilities was held December 6th with help from the Community Friends of Santa Barbara Carolers and Santa Claus himself! Hillside residents, their families and loved ones, and all in attendance enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies, and traditional holiday songs until it was time for the annual “flipping of the switch,” when the beautiful light display came to life! Snow (thanks to the Hillside Facilities team!) fell just after Santa Claus led the countdown to “Lights on!”

“I am grateful to the Hillside Facilities Team and volunteers, including the Boy Scouts Troop #37 and Cox Communications, to create such a beautiful and colorful presentation for everyone to enjoy – residents, their families and loved ones, staff, neighbors, sponsors, donors, volunteers, the Santa Barbara community, and all on the Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights tours,” said Michael Rassler, Hillside President & CEO.

In addition to the lights and decorations, the display includes a slideshow featuring some of the 59 individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hillside focuses on residents shining light on their abilities and sharing who they are and what they can do. The slideshow plays continuously on a large-screen monitor in the picture window of the main Hillside building. The slideshow also expresses gratitude to Hillside’s Shining Light’s sponsors, including: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Montecito Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara Foundation, Stantec, Demboski & Chapman Financial and Insurance Solutions, and Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center.

There is still time to be a sponsor or donor for Shining Light on Abilities. For info visit hillsidesb.org

Paseo Nuevo Ad Hoc Committee Members Named, Begin Work to Guide City Staff on Negotiations

RESPONDING TO TRANSPARENCY ISSUES WITH THE PROPOSED PASEO NUEVO REDEVELOPMENT PLANS, three City Councilmembers have been appointed to a newly-created Paseo Nuevo ad hoc Committee by Mayor Randy Rowse: Eric Friedman, Meagan Harmon, and Mike Jordan. The committee reportedly met for the first time this week.

The ad hoc Committee formed in the wake of last week’s heated City Council meeting, during which councilmembers voiced frustration over the status of negotiations with AllianceBernstein (AB Commercial). AB is the investment firm that holds the lease to most of Paseo Nuevo’s buildings and is currently looking to replace the Macy’s building with an apartment complex. Councilmembers specifically denounced the dramatic reduction in the proposed redevelopment plans’ required number of affordable housing units from 80 to 24, which was done without sufficient communication with the council.

Councilmember Harmon said that the committee would prevent the council from being “at another hearing saying we had no idea what was going on and we didn’t participate in this.”

Additional concerns voiced by the council included threats made by AB that they would leave the mall “fallow” if desired plans were not approved. Ultimately, the Council did not approve the draft Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) and insisted that further conversations with all involved parties (including Shopoff, who owns the Nordstrom lease) before working out a deal that would exchange city land for housing units.

Moving forward, the ad hoc committee will provide direct input to city staff as they work to revise and negotiate development plans.

Belrose Estate Jewelers Celebrate Successful “Pink with Purpose” Benefit Campaign

DONATING $4,611 TO THE BREAST CANCER RESOURCE CENTER OF SANTA BARBARA, Belrose Estate Jewelers of Montecito is celebrating the success of its “Pink with a Purpose” campaign. Held in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this past October, the campaign pledged five percent of all sales to support the center and its services.

Belrose Estate Jewelers, founded on the East Coast in 1967 and established in Montecito in 2007, is led by Joe Schweke and his daughter, Sarena Schweke.

“We are grateful to the Schweke family for their unwavering support over nearly 20 years,” said BCRC Executive Director Silvana Kelly. “Joe and Sarena truly understand what it means to come together as a community to support those impacted by breast cancer and to honor the lives that have been touched. At BCRC, we recognize that breast cancer affects every part of a person’s life, which is why we are here to support the heart, mind, and spirit as well.”

House Passes Carbajal Bill to Rename Goleta Post Office for Central Coast Veteran

TO HONOR BRIGADIER GENERAL FREDERICK LOPEZ, who served for over 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) proposed legislation to rename the Goleta Post Office on Patterson Ave. in the veteran’s honor. On December 10th, the bill passed and moved on to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“General Lopez represents the best of the Central Coast and of our nation’s armed forces,” said Carbajal. “I’m proud that the House has voted to honor his legacy by renaming the South Patterson Avenue Post Office in Goleta in his name, ensuring that future generations will be reminded of his extraordinary contributions to our community and our country.”

General Lopez, a Santa Barbara County native, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967 following his graduation from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His service as a platoon commander during the Vietnam War earned him a Bronze Star and Combat Action Ribbon. Over his three decades as a Marine, General Lopez also earned a Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and other decorations prior to his retirement in 1998. Since then, General Lopez has continued to advocate for veterans as an active member of the Military Order Of The World Wars, including as its former Commander in Chief, and other veterans groups.

“I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Congressman Carbajal in drafting and sponsoring this bill renaming the Patterson Post Office. And I appreciate and thank all those members of Congress who approved this bill going forward. I am deeply honored to have my name on the bill,” said Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (ret.).

Sarena Schweke, Belrose Estate Jewelers; Silvana Kelly, BCRC Executive Director; and Chelsea Valenzuela, Belrose Estate Jewelers

Nerdy Fun from the Page to the Stage

The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged

WBy Daisy Scott / VOICE

HISKING VIEWERS AWAY ON A WHIRLWIND LITERARY TOUR, The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged epitomizes what an homage can, and should, offer. As witty as Lizzy Bennet and as thoughtful as Anne Elliot, the play masterfully captures the satire, artistic genius, and swoon-worthy protagonists that have made Austen’s works a persisting phenomenon.

Hilarity abounds as the play utilizes increasingly creative staging, from portraying Northanger Abbey as a Dungeons & Dragons campaign to depicting Emma as a reality TV matchmaking show. Lizzy Bennet and Darcy face off in kung fu style for Pride and Prejudice, and Mansfield Park is playfully mocked as a book really meant for introverts.

In short, this is a play for readers, writers, and nerds. It does not matter whether audiences are die-hard “Janeites” or are completely new to Austen’s works; what is important is that viewers enter ready to celebrate these books and, more importantly, how they can and have inspired change.

By presenting The Complete Works to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, the Ensemble Theatre Company has once again demonstrated its knack for choosing plays that salute cultural touchstones and encourage audiences to appreciate them anew. After October’s success of War of the Worlds, a sold-out audience eagerly returned to the New Vic on opening night to see how Austen’s works would be transformed by ETC’s panache.

Under the direction of Robert Kelley, The Complete Works meets and exceeds local theatre-goers’ hopes. A gorgeous Regency era drawing room welcomes audiences, with projected Constable and Turner paintings providing pastoral, 19th century backgrounds. The play begins before audiences realize it, as actress Kristen Høj settles into a sofa to read Pride and Prejudice with the house lights still lit.

Suddenly, her co-star Alyssa “Ally” Anne Austin rushes onstage to lament the sudden disappearance of their male lead, revealing that The Complete Works acts as a play-within-a-play. As Kristen and Ally debate how to present Austen’s romances without a man, Kyle Hester appears, volunteering despite knowing literally nothing about Austen’s works.

It is off to the races as the madcap trio wears many hats — literally — to alternate personas between dozens of Austen’s characters as they summarize all six of the author’s novels and as well as her unpublished juvenilia in an impressive 90 minutesprint. Through it all, the chemistry between our stars remains electric, propelling each novel’s story forward with fresh energy. A better pairing of actors could not be envisioned for this play.

Kyle’s presence ensures that the play remains accessible, as Ally and Kristen teach him (and by extension, any viewers unfamiliar with Austen’s works) about their

favorite author. They deconstruct stereotypes that oversimplify Austen’s stories into mere romantic comedies where “nothing happens,” outlining how Austen’s works spoke to personal growth and challenged the many inequalities Regency women faced.

Even Austen herself was forced to anonymously publish due to her gender, signing her books “By a Lady.” Yet she persisted as an early feminist writer, centering her characters’ strong personalities, emotional evolution, and desire to find a partner that loved and respected them as individuals.

As the New Vic resounded with applause, one could not help but appreciate that Austen is now receiving the international acclaim denied her in her lifetime, a century and a continent later.

Performances continue through December 21st, making The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged a fun, literary outing ideal for the holiday season.

etcsb.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 3PM

Family-friendly holiday music by American composers/arrangers

New work by award-winning composer Julia Marie Newmann

Post-concert reception

60-voice Choral Society and orchestra conducted by Artistic Director Anne Wasserman

Children from Music Academy SING! Program

$10-$30 available online or at the door (unless sold-out)

Photos by Lore Photography

Kyle T. Hester and Alyssa Anne Austin as Lizzy Bennet and Mr. Darcy

Kirsten Høj and Alyssa Anne Austin

On the Street with John Palminteri

Photos and Stories by John Palminteri, Special to VOICE

UCSB Basketball’s Winning Streak

UC SANTA BARBARA

GOT ITS FIFTH WIN IN A ROW with a +100 point game over Cal State Bakersfield in the Thunderdome on Saturday. The women’s team also won on the road at Bakersfield and has a seven game winning streak.

First Responder Updates

UC SANTA BARBARA POLICE

A NEW REGIONAL FIRE COMMUNICATIONS HEADQUARTERS is now operational in Santa Barbara County for seven fire agencies and AMR. The staff and technology will rapidly identify the closest resource for 911 calls.

SAY THE DEATH of a freshman student Liz Hamel this year was an accidental fall from a balcony at the San Rafael dorm. Her room was in the San Miguel dorm across campus. She died six days later. Police say they had an exhaustive investigation and “a systematic review and account of all available information and numerous interviews, including a person of interest identified during the course of the investigation.” The District Attorney’s office is still reviewing the details.

Reactions from the Hamel family attorney, Tyrone Maho of Santa Barbara, and a private investigator, Michael Claytor, of Claytor Investigations, indicate there is a further effort underway to seek answers: “We believe that there remains critical evidence to obtain, and we disagree with the UCSB Police Department statement that there can be a conclusion made in connection with Ms. Hamel’s death. We are aware of key inconsistencies that remain unaddressed, creating more questions than answers. Further, we are concerned that there may be an inherent conflict of interest with the UCSB Police Department investigating this matter, and we could potentially be dealing with a biased review of the events that occurred on February 14, 2025. Our own investigation continues.”

From Liz’ father, Alain Hamel: “We are aware of UCSB Police’s conclusion, but we still have unanswered questions about how Liz died. We will continue working with our counsel and the appropriate authorities to ensure that all available evidence is carefully reviewed. On the human side, my wife and I are devastated. Liz was our only child and we are still trying to understand how to go on without her.”

Holiday

Tree Lightings & Parades Brighten

Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Solvang

A BLOCK PARTY CELEBRATION centered around the lighting of the Santa Barbara Holiday tree on State Street near the Arlington Theatre on Friday night. The presenting sponsor was Consumer Fire Products in coordination with the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement District and the City of Santa Barbara with City Councilmembers Kristen Sneddon, Oscar Gutierrez, and Wendy Santamaria. DJ Darla Bea provided the music throughout the evening.

Other sponsors were: VOICE Magazine, SB Independent, City of SB, Big Red Crane Co., Bella Vista Designs, and the Arlington Theatre. The tree was lit up by Youth Holiday Luminaries: Genesis Infante Garcia and Carlos Rodriguez Alcocer from Franklin School. Performers included the Santa Barbara High Marching Band; Santa Barbara Dance Arts, choreographed by Hannah Wagster; Hula Anyone; Rhythmic Gymnastics; Victoria Plascencia, Junior Spirit of Fiesta; and Natalia Treviño, the 2025 Spirit of Fiesta. The event wrapped up with the UC Santa Barbara Chamber Choir.

THE STEARNS WHARF HOLIDAY TREE was lit in a ceremony at dusk Friday night in Santa Barbara. The event had musical performances from the Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Choir and KLITE radio hosts Catherine Remak and Scott Topper.

THOUSANDS CAME OUT TO THE COLORFUL AND SPIRITED GOLETA HOLIDAY PARADE on Saturday night including many Santa Barbara residents who learned this week there will be no parade either on Milpas Street or downtown. The Old Town Goleta route was configured much closer to the entries than just curb to curb, which added to the excitement for spectators.

THE SOLVANG YULEFEST PARADE on Saturday drew thousands of people over several blocks and showed why it is one of the most magical Christmas towns in America. They made their way through Solvang’s charming village streets with marching bands, horses, dancers, classic vehicles, and festive floats, with more than 400 participants.

This year’s theme, “Nordic Noël,” captures the warmth and wonder of Scandinavian holiday traditions, inviting everyone to share in Solvang’s signature hygge — that special sense of Danish coziness and community.

Hot Rod Toy Drive for Unity Shoppe

THE COMMUNITY HOT ROD PROJECT and Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613 teamed up for a Holiday Toy Drive Car Show on Sunday in Goleta. The toys will be presented to the Unity Shoppe and also on air during the Unity Telethon on Friday, December 12th, streamed 5 to 8pm on Newschannel 3.

John Palminteri is a veteran news reporter and anchor for Newschannel 3-12 TV and both KJEE and KCLU radio in Santa Barbara/Santa Maria/Ventura. Off the air, he’s often bringing his smile and positive energy to the microphone at fundraisers and civic events. John’s social media presence has one of the largest followings in Santa Barbara, and this page has the weekly highlights. Twitter: @JohnPalminteri • Instagram: @JohnPalminteriNews www.facebook.com/john.palminteri.5

Liz Hamel, a UCSB freshman student who died earlier this year after a fall from a dorm balcony

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The Great Recession Lesson

“Irrational Exuberance. Economists who adhere to rational-expectations models of the world will never admit it, but a lot of what happens in markets is driven by pure stupidity - or, rather, inattention, misinformation about fundamentals, and an exaggerated focus on currently circulating stories. Robert J. Shiller

By Harlan Green, Special to VOICE

NOBEL LAUREATE

ROBERT SHILLER

is best known for his book, Irrational Exuberance, that he wrote in 2000 predicting the Dot-com recession. But it applies as well to the Great Recession of 2007-09, the worst worldwide recession since the Great Depression, which was precipitated by the busted housing bubble that in turn was based on the irrational belief housing prices would never fall. And former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan’s Fed cooperated by pushing its Fed Funds rate to one percent in 2004 per the FRED graph, after which inflation took off. CPI (consumer) inflation ultimately reached five percent and Greenspan’s Fed then had to sharply raise its Fed Funds rates to combat it, busting the housing bubble.

The Great Recession that lost more than eight million jobs was ultimately based on President GW Bush pursuing the time-honored Republican agenda of multiple tax cuts and borrowed money while advocating ultra-low interest rates that created the first $1 trillion federal budget deficit.

Sound familiar? Trump is pushing for lower interest rates once again when Chairman Powell’s term at the Fed ends in the spring and his own Fed Chairman takes over with a majority of more inflationfriendly Trump-appointed Governors.

The Great Recession was caused by pure greed, in other words. Republican tax cuts mainly benefited their wealthiest supporters and the higher federal debt incurred was paid for by taxpayers. The Trump administration is running up another $4 trillion to the federal debt from its Big Beautiful Tax Bill renewing the tax cuts enacted during his first term that had already added $5 trillion to the debt.

There were also other lessons from the 2007-09 Great Recession. Bush had championed cutting regulations that ‘freed’ more market speculation and appointed regulators who were in reality foxes in the hen house. They refused to enforce existing regulations, allowing banks to buy and sell junk bonds that were falsely rated as investment grade, causing several investment banks to fail (e.g., Bear Stearns, Lehman Bros).

How close are we to another recession of any kind? The November unemployment report comes out on December 16th, as I’ve said, (skipping October’s report) after the Fed’s FOMC meet that decides whether another rate cut is

Santa Barbara Mortgage Interest Rates

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appropriate. So, we have only the ‘unofficial’ ADP private payrolls report on employment that showed -32,000 private payrolls were lost in November.

We do have the just out October JOLTS report on monthly hirings and layoffs that said job openings jumped to 7.7 million in October from a 7.2 million reading in August that had been close to a pandemic low.

By Harlan Green

A recession is basically a vote by consumers that they will spend less (because fewer can afford the higher prices, in this case). It’s possible that Republican priorities will fool some of their poorer, MAGA supporters some of the time, but not all Americans.

“Yet the number of people hired in October was basically the same as the number who found jobs in August: 5.1 million. That was the secondlowest number since the pandemic and the lowest since 2015 if the COVID-19 era is omitted,” said MarketWatch’s Jeffry Bartash.

That’s hardly a reason for optimism over future job growth. The fear of higher inflation from the tariffs is causing higher long-term bond and mortgage rates, stopping the housing market from growing at all.

Yet Donald Trump will continue to pursue more rate cuts when his Fed Governor takes control, telling everyone it won’t cause higher inflation.

This could be the Great Recession scenario all over again, with a deflated AI asset bubble instead of the busted housing bubble. Consumers will know first, even though Trump likes to fire those government statisticians that don’t agree with him and hire incompetents in their place.

There are even more lessons to learn, such as history has a habit of repeating itself when “markets are driven by pure stupidity.”

Harlan Green © 2025 Follow Harlan Green on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarlanGreen

Harlan Green has been the 18-year Editor-Publisher of PopularEconomics.com, a weekly syndicated financial wire service. He writes a Popular Economics Weekly Blog. He is an economic forecaster and teacher of real estate finance with 30-years experience as a banker and mortgage broker. To reach Harlan call 805-452-7696 or email editor@populareconomics.com.

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, CASE NUMBER: 25CV06974

Petitioner: Mary Michaline Johns filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Mary Michaline Johns aka Mary Michaline Walz to PROPOSED NAME: Mary Michaline Hunter. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: January 28, 2026; Time: 10:00 am; Dept.: 3; ROOM: [ ] other (specify): at the: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the courts website. To find your courts website, go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm.) 3 a. [X] A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation: [x] (for resident of this county) printed in this county: VOICE MAGAZINE. Date: 12/05/2025 /s/: Thomas P. Anderle, Judge of the Superior Court. Legal #25CV06974 Pub Dates: December 12, 19, 26, 2025, January 2, 2026.

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The following Limited Liability Company is doing business as FLOWER GIRL at 15 W Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. FLOWER GIRL, LLC at 15 W Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on November 20, 2025. 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. 2025-0002663. Published December 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT: The following Individual is doing business as THE AMEZCUA AGENCY at 5266 Hollister Ave, Suite 225, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. JORGE AMEZCUA, JR at 5266 Hollister Ave, Suite 225, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on November 13, 2025. 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. 20250002605. Published November 21, 28, December 5, 12, 2025.

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Where to Learn About Local Government Meetings

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, CASE NUMBER: 25CV06952 Petitioner: Jose Elias Garcia filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Jose Elias Garcia to PROPOSED NAME: Eliaz Garcia. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: January 12, 2026; Time: 10:00 am; Dept.: 5; ROOM: [ ] other (specify): at the: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the courts website. To find your courts website, go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm.) 3 a. [X] A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation: [x] (for resident of this county) printed in this county: VOICE MAGAZINE. Date: 11/14/2025 /s/: Colleen K. Sterne , Judge of the Superior Court. Legal #25CV06952 Pub Dates: November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following Limited Liability Company is doing business as POSSIBILITY INVESTOR at 835 E Canon Perdido St, Apt 207, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. CASSANDRA SHEA CONSULTING LLC at 835 E Canon Perdido St A, Apt 207, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on October 31, 2025. 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. 2025-0002527. Published November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2025.

NIH backs UCSB virtual reality project to help older adults build real social connections

By Debra Herrick

The UC Santa Barbara Current • 12.17.25

ANEW $3.8 MILLION GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH is helping UC Santa Barbara scholars reimagine how virtual reality can support older adults who are aging at home — and the family members and professionals who care for them.

“Our goal has always been to figure out how technology can help older adults thrive, despite cognitive and physical challenges,” said communication professor Tamara Afifi, who is co-leading the project with psychological and brain sciences professor Nancy Collins. “Virtual reality isn’t meant to replace relationships — it’s a tool for relationship maintenance and social bonding.”

The project builds on nearly a decade of work with Rendever, a VR company that designs lightweight, cordfree headsets and shared experiences specifically for older adults. Afifi’s team, which includes Rendever CEO Kyle Rand and Director of Research Jennifer Stamps, first piloted the technology at Maravilla, a senior living community near UCSB, in an early NIH-funded study focused on safety and feasibility for residents with dementia. Older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild to moderate dementia at Maravilla used the VR remotely with a family member who was geographically separated. The results were promising: the system not only proved safe, but also improved residents’ quality of life and psychological and relational well-being.

That pilot laid the groundwork for a large clinical trial across eight countries and involving 186 pairs of participants: an older adult with mild cognitive impairment or mild to moderate dementia, and an adult child living at a distance. Dyads were randomly assigned to connect once a week for a month using either Zoom or Rendever’s shared VR platform, with follow-ups at one and three months.

Both technologies helped families enhance their social bonds and psychological well-being, but VR offered unique benefits. In the headset, parents and adult children could “travel” together — taking a boat in Thailand, going on safari, or touring a cathedral in Barcelona — while talking about what they were seeing and feeling. Families could also upload addresses from their past and, using Google Street View inside the headset, revisit childhood homes or meaningful places. Another popular feature allowed them to sit together as avatars in a virtual living room, surrounded by family photos and home videos. The researchers found that VR (compared to Zoom) was especially beneficial for older adults with

Nancy Collins

Professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences

Nancy Collins’ research and theoretical interests lie at the interface of close relationships, social cognition, and health psychology. More specifically, her research explores the social and cognitive processes that shape close relationships in adulthood, and the impact that these processes have on health and well-being across the lifespan.

dementia.

“Video conferencing is wonderful, but conversations can become mundane or quickly turn toward talking about health ailments,” Afifi explained. “With VR, you’re doing something novel and stimulating together. You have adventures to talk about, and you can build in reminiscence therapy to invoke positive memories and emotions.”

In both studies, the team found benefits not only for older adults but also for caregivers, including improvements in mental health and reductions in guilt for family members separated by distance.

The new grant takes the next step the researchers have long envisioned: bringing VR into the homes of older adults who are aging in place, particularly for those with dementia. Most older adults do not live in senior communities, Afifi said, yet they may face significant loneliness, mobility limits, and cognitive challenges. “We need to provide other ways to still allow them to thrive.”

To reach them, the team is partnering with Right at Home in-home care services. Trained home health aides will bring Rendever’s headsets to clients’ homes, help them get settled, and connect them to group VR sessions in senior communities where Rendever is already being used. Activity directors at those communities will operate the experiences from a tablet, so older adults at home simply put on the headset and are transported into a shared environment.

In this new study, participants will first meet one another over Zoom to see faces and learn names. Then, like kids logging on to play video games with friends, they’ll reconnect regularly in shared VR spaces — going on virtual outings, attending concerts or movie nights, or taking turns “hosting” visits to meaningful places from their past.

“The key difference in this study is that we’re using shared virtual reality to help older adults form authentic new friendships,” Collins said. “We know social connection is one of the strongest predictors of quality of life at any age, but it becomes harder to maintain as you get older and face more physical and cognitive limitations.”

Collins, whose work is rooted in attachment theory and the science of adult close relationships, sees the project as a natural extension of her research on how supportive bonds promote health and thriving. Afifi, a family communication scholar who studies family communication, stress and resilience, was drawn to VR after caring for her own motherin-law with dementia and seeing firsthand how quickly meaningful activities can evaporate with cognitive decline.

“People run out of things to do with loved ones who have dementia,” Afifi said. “They can’t travel, they may lose the ability to read and write. I wanted something that could bring back a sense of efficacy and dignity — something that lets them explore, reminisce, and feel connected again to their loved ones and the larger world.”

For funders like NIH and the National Institute on Aging, the project speaks directly to two intertwined goals: extending lifespan and improving quality of life.

“It’s wonderful to live longer, but you want those added years to be rich in connection and engagement,” Collins said. “Virtual reality can provide cognitively stimulating experiences — and when you do them socially, you’re addressing two domains that often decline with age: social networks and opportunities for new, mentally engaging activities.”

The researchers also expect the program to ease strain on family caregivers by offering safe, engaging sessions that can double as short periods of respite.

Looking ahead, Afifi and Collins hope that, if the model proves effective, VR-based social programs could become lowcost, widely accessible and eventually covered by insurance — available in rural communities, across diverse populations, and to families of all income levels.

“If we can give older adults and their caregivers a drugfree, joyful tool that reduces isolation and brings people together across distance,” Afifi said, “I think our world will be better for it.”

Printed with permission of UCSB Office of Public Affairs and Communications.

Tamara Afifi

Professor/Department Chair, Communication

Tamara Afifi’s research focuses on family and interpersonal communication in two domains: (1) how people communicate when they are stressed and its impact on personal and relational health, and (2) information regulation (e.g., avoidance, privacy, secrets, stress contagion effects).

Photo courtesy of Rendever.com

Courtesy photo

Ella McCay* (PG13): Fri-Sun: 2:15, 5:00, 7:45. Mon-Wed: 5:00, 7:45. Thur: 2:00, 7:45.

David (PG): Sun: 12:15, 3:00. Thur: 2:15, 5:00. Spongebob* (PG): Wed: 5:00/3D. Thur: 4:45, 7:20.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (R): Fri-Sun: 2:10, 4:40, 7:05, 9:30. Mon-Wed: 3:20, 5:45, 8:15. Thur: 12:55.

Wicked For Good: (PG): Fri-Wed: 1:20, 4:30, 7:45. Thur: 1:00, 2:10. : Fri-Wed: 2:30, 5:10, 7:55.

Avatar: Fire & Ash* (PG13): Thur: 2:20/3D, 3:20, 4:20/3D, 5:20, 6:30/3D, 7:30, 8:30/3D, 9:30. The Housemaid* (R): Thur: 2:00, 5:10, 8:15.

Wicked For Good: (PG): Fri-Wed: 2:45, 5:30, 8:05. Thur: 2:15, 4:25, 7:30. Met Opera: Andrea Chénier* (NR): Sat: 10:00. Avatar: Fire & Ash* (PG13): Thur: 4:00, 5:20/3D, 8:15, 9:20/3D.

2:30, 5:15, Spongebob* (PG): Thur: 5:00, 7:30. The Housemaid* (R): Thur: 2:05, 5:05, 8:10. Silent Night, Deadly Night (R): Fri-Wed: 2:00, 5:45, 8:15. Thur: 2:00. Dust Bunny (R): Fri-Wed: 8:20.

CINEMA

EXPERIENCE THE SLAPSTICK COMEDY of Home Alone on the big screen when the Alcazar Theatre hosts a matinee at 3pm on Sunday, December 21st. Viewers are encouraged to join in an ugly sweater contest and bring warm coats and sweaters to donate to SB Rescue Mission.

For tickets ($5-7) visit thealcazar.org

CINEMA LISTINGS

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas • Anniversary screening with Mr. & Mrs. Claus and the Grinch! • Granada Theatre • $5 • granadasb.org • Festivities 5pm, film 6pm Fr, 12/12.

Die Hard • 4K restoration of this holiday action film • SBIFF Riviera Theatre • $8-12.50 • sbifftheatres.com • 9pm Fr & Sa, 12/12 & 12/13.

The Bishop’s Wife • An angel comes to earth in this holiday classic • Goleta Valley Library Express, 6500 Hollister Ave, Suite 105 • Free • 1:30-3:30pm Th, 12/18.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig • Thriller shot in secret about an investigating judge in Tehran • Alcazar Theatre • $12-15 • thealcazar.org • 6:30pm Th, 12/18.

The Holiday • Two women swap houses for the holidays • Alcazar Theatre • $5-7 • thealcazar.org • 7pm Fr, 12/19.

Home Alone • A young boy defends his home from bandits • Alcazar Theatre • $5-7 • thealcazar.org • 3pm Su, 12/21.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

The Nutcracker

FOLLOW CLARA’S JOURNEY TO AN ENCHANTED LAND, escorted by her dashing Nutcracker solider, when the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet presents its 50th anniversary production of The Nutcracker at the Arlington Theatre at 2:30pm and 7pm on Saturday, December 13th and at 2:30pm on Sunday, December 14th. Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score will be played by a live symphony orchestra, with dancers including internationally celebrated ballerinas. For tickets ($50-180) visit arlingtontheatresb.com

$7 • 12-6pm Fr, 12/12; 10am-6pm Sa, 12/13; 10am-5pm Su, 12/14.

Chocolate & Art Workshop • Make holiday treats and a display box • Menchaca Chocolates, 4141 State St. E-1 • $34-64 • menchacachocolates.com • 2-7pm Fr-Su, through 12/28.

Howls & Owls • The Case of the Missing Morsels • Family-friendly mystery hunt to learn about nocturnal life • SB Museum of Natural History • $6-11 • sbnature.org • 4:30-6:30pm Fr, 12/12.

Unity Shoppe Holiday Telethon • Special performances and interviews, fundraiser for Unity Shoppe • Streamed on KEYT 5-8pm Fr, 12/12.

Mystery Book Sale Preview

Night • Exclusive first pick of book sale with wine and bites • Central Library • $25 • friends-sblibrary.org • 5:30-7:30pm Fr, 12/12.

Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Lights Festival • Explore bright artistic displays • Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden • $15-30 • syvholidaylights.com • 5:30-8:30pm Fr-Su, 12/12-12/14; 12/19-12/21.

Anniversary Party at Art & Soul • Live music, wines, and small artworks for sale • Art & Soul, 1323 State St • Free • 6-8pm Fr, 12/12.

Storytime & Book Signing •

Local authors Adam & Kate McHugh share Ferd and the Magic Hat • Paseo Nuevo, De La Guerra Place • Free, RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/ms69uu6e • 1-1:45pm Sa, 12/13.

Crafternoon • Fun crafts, ages 5+ • Explore Ecology Makerspace • $8 • exploreecology.org • 10am-12pm, Sat.

Storytime @ the Sea Center • All ages • Free w/ admission • SBNature.org

• 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.

DANCE

The Nutcracker Sweet • Student production presented by Westside Dance • Marjorie Luke Theatre • $1520 • luketheatre.org • 11am & 4pm Sa, 12/13; 4pm Su, 12/14.

Clara in the Land of Sweets!

• Performance by Inspire Dance SB students and Rosal Ortega Flamenco Dance Company • Center Stage Theater • $30 • centerstagetheater.org

• 3pm Sa, 12/13.

The Nutcracker • Holiday classic performed by the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet • Arlington Theatre • $50-180

• arlingtontheatresb.com • 2:30pm & 7pm Sa, 12/13; 2:30pm Su, 12/14.

MUSIC

Friday 12/12

CHILDREN

Stuffed Animal Sleepover • All Aboard the Library Express! • Holiday storytime and toy sleepover at the library • Eastside Library • Free • 5-6pm Fr, 12/12.

DANCE

Line Dancing Lessons • Maverick Saloon • $10 • 6-8pm Sat.

LECTURES/MEETINGS/WORKSHOPS

Mini Wreaths and Snow

Globes • Festive craft workshop, ages 13+ • EE Makerspace • $30-35 • exploreecology.org • 6-8pm Fr, 12/12.

MUSIC

Downtown Holiday SingAlong with the Prime Time Band

• Festive outdoor free concert

• Steps of SB Museum of Art • 6-8pm Fr, 12/12.

Sing! Miraflores and Riviera

Concert • Wintry homage by Miraflores and Riviera choir Sing!

students • Music Academy of the West, Hahn Hall • $10, ages 17 and under free • musicacademy.org • 6pm Fr, 12/12.

Annual Holiday Sweater Party

• Music and good times to benefit Unity Shoppe, ages 21+ • SOhO • $30 • sohosb.com • 7pm Fr, 12/12.

The Light So Shines • SB Master

Chorale concert • Lobero Theatre • $30-60 • lobero.org • 7pm Fr, 12/12.

Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw • Gentle pop and rock concert • Chumash Casino • $59-89 • chumashcasino.com/entertainment • 8pm Fr, 12/12.

Red Piano • Jason Libs and Jordan Frank play requests • Red Piano • 5pm on, Tu-Sun.

OUTDOORS

SBC Courthouse Docent Tours • Free • www.sbcourthouse.org • 10:30am Mon-Fri & 2pm daily.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Gem Faire • Shop beads, gems, and crystals • Earl Warren Showgrounds •

Una Noche de las Posadas • Reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging with food, a market, and music • El Presidio & Casa de la Guerra • Free • sbthp.org • 5-9pm, procession 7pm, Fr, 12/12.

Saturday 12/13

CHILDREN

Winter Gift-Making Workshop - Multimedia • For ages 5-12 • SB Museum of Art • $120-150 • sbma.net • 9am-3pm Sa, 12/13.

Big Brass Holiday Concert • Free concert by SBCC brass band • Storke Placita • 12-2pm Sa, 12/13.

Sounds and Stories of a Greek Christmas • Holiday concert with professional singers • St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church • $30, purchase https://tinyurl.com/3nsy9caa

• 3pm Sa, 12/13.

Mysteries of Christmas • Quire of Voyces concert • St. Anthony’s Chapel • Tickets at The Garvin Box Office and Chaucer’s Books • quireofvoyces.org • 3pm Sa, 12/13 & 3pm Su, 12/14.

Holiday Concert & Reception

• SB Music Club presents pianists

805-453-1139 www.comefromyourheart.com

Local Holiday Markets

Holiday Market at the CAW • Local artists • Community Arts Workshop • Free • 11am-5pm Sa, 12/13.

Under the Oak and Olive: Artisans and Allies • Indigenous artisans/allies market • El Presidio • Free • 11am-5pm Su, 12/14.

Mosaic Makers Night Market • Shop local small businesses under the stars • Mosaic Locale Courtyard, 1129 State St • Free • 5-8:30pm Fr, 12/12.

Holiday Boutique • Shop local vendors with kids activities • SB Tennis Club • Free • 10am-3pm Sa, 12/13.

Wild Goods Pop-up Market • Shop holiday gifts • La Lieff Wines • 1-5pm Su, 12/14 & 12/21.

Farmer & The Flea • Shop from 70+ local artisan vendors • El Presidio • 10am4pm Sa, 12/20.

Crimson Holiday • Seasonal pop-up with dozens of local artisans’ handmade works • La Cumbre Plaza • 10am-7pm Mo-Sat; 11am6pm Su, through 12/31.

Photo by Fritz Olenberger

Light Up a Life

HONOR MISSING LOVED ONES this holiday season by hanging memorial star ornaments during Hospice of Santa Barbara’s next Light Up a Life celebrations. Ceremonies will be held at 5pm on Saturday, December 13th at Carpinteria’s Seal Fountain on Linden Avenue, and at 5pm on Sunday, December 14th in Goleta’s Camino Real Marketplace, near the movie theater. Locals can also dedicate virtual stars on HSB’s Virtual Tree of Remembrance, which is hosted on its website. All events are free, with a suggested $15 donation for stars. hospiceofsb.org/lual

Erin Bonski and Eric Valinsky • First United Methodist Church • Free 8 3pm Sa, 12/13.

Winter Concert • By SB Strings students • Music Academy of the West • $30 adults, children free • santabarbarastrings.org • 4pm Sa, 12/13.

Christmas Mariachi Festival • Featuring Mariachi Plata de WNMU • Lobero Theatre • $57-87 • lobero.org • 7pm Sa, 12/13.

OUTDOORS

Elings Park Nature Walk

• Discover birds on a SB Botanic Garden-led tour • Elings Park, meet in lot next to Administration Building •

Holiday Festival • Celebrate at the Carpinteria Arts Center • Free • 125pm Sa, 12/13.

Festive Ice Skating Show • Ice in Paradise • $20-30 •iceinparadise. org • 12:30 & 3:30pm Sa, 12/13.

Mending Workshop • Goleta Valley Library Express, 6500 Hollister Ave, Suite 105 • Free • 2-3pm Sa, 12/13.

Home for the Holidays • Elegant and festive soirée • Casa del Herrero • $300+ • casadelherrero.com • 3-5pm Sa, 12/13.

Carpinteria Holiday Spirit Parade • Cheer on neighbors and local organizations • Linden Ave, Carpinteria • Free • 3pm Sa, 12/13.

MCASB Holiday Party/Open House • Community, art making, tamales, and more • MCASB • Free • 4-8pm Sa, 12/13.

Light Up A Life 2025 • Honor departed loved ones with a ceremony and tree lighting • Hospice SB • Carpinteria, Linden Ave; Seal Fountain • Free; $15 suggested donation • hospiceofsb.org/lual • 5pm Sa, 12/13.

Theatre

El Ermitaño (The Hermit)

ENJOY A MUSIC-FILLED, PASTORELA when the Pacific Conservatory Theatre presents an all-Spanish production of El Ermitaño (The Hermit) at 7:30pm on Friday, December 12th and 11am and 3pm on Saturday, December 13th. Performances will be held at Severson Theatre in Santa Maria.

For tickets ($10-20) visit pcpa.org

Miracle on 34th Street • Holiday favorite on stage with local actors • Alcazar Theatre • $15-20 • thealcazar.org • 7pm Fr, 12/12-12/14.

Free • 9-10:30am Sa, 12/13.

Elings Park Transformation

Project • Volunteer to care for the land • Elings Park • Register: sbbotanicgarden.org • 9am-12pm Sa, 12/13.

Student Tea Session • Observe a Japanese tea ceremony • SB Botanic Garden • Included with admission • 10am-12:30pm Sa, 12/13.

Star Party • Explore the night sky • SB Museum of Natural History • Free • 7-10pm Sa, 12/13.

Architectural Walking Tour • History of buildings in SB • 229 E. Victoria St • $20 • afsb.org • 10am, Sat.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Giant Used Mystery Book Sale • Shop mystery novels • Supports Friends of SBPL • Faulkner Gallery, Central Library • 10:30am-5pm Sa, 12/13.

Nutcracker High Tea • Celebrate the season with festive tea • Finch & Fork • $66 • finchandforkrestaurant. com • Various times 12/13, 12/14, 12/20, & 12/21.

Sunday 12/14

CHILDREN

Bilingual Storytime • Includes free admission to museum • SB Museum of Art • Free • Partnership with SBPL • 11-11:40am Su, 12/14.

Storytime @ the Sea Center • All ages • Free w/ admission • SBNature.org • 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.

Sundays at the Ranch • Fun for the family. Enjoy barn animals and tractor rides • Stow House, 304 N Los Carneros Rd • Free • goletahistory.org • 11am-2pm Sun.

LECTURES/MEETINGS

Empathy Cafe • Practice communication, listening, and

BIG CHANGES COMING in 2026

We are here to help you find

El Ermitaño (The Hermit) • Mexican traditional Christmas play in Spanish • PCPA, Severson Theatre, Santa Maria • $1020 • pcpa.org • 7:30pm Fr, 12/12; 11am & 3pm Sa, 12/13.

The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged • Fast-paced comic presentation of Austen’s works • ETC • The New Vic Theatre • 12/3 pay what you can; $25-104 • etcsb.org • Through 12/21.

Annie • Hit Broadway musical about an optimistic orphan • Ojai Art Center Theater • $10-30 • ojaiact.org • Through 12/21.

Disney’s Frozen • Broadway version of animated favorite • PCPA Marian Theatre, Santa Maria • $25+ • pcpa.org • Through 12/21.

Great Expectations • Dickens’ story presented by The Acting Company • Rubicon Theatre • $30-80 • rubicontheatre. org • Through 12/21.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream • Shakespeare’s comedy co-produced with the Acting Company of New York • Rubicon Theatre • $30-60 • rubicontheatre.org • Through 12/21.

speaking skills • Riviera Theatre, upstairs • Free • 11am-1pm Su.

MUSIC

Holiday Jazz Jam • Woody DeMarco Trio, hosted by SB Jazz Society • SOhO • $10-25 • sohosb.com • 1-4pm Su, 12/14.

An American Holiday Concert • By the SB Choral Society • Trinity Lutheran Church • $10-30 • sbchoral. org • 3pm Su, 12/14.

Grace Fisher Winter Music Showcase • Bands, choirs, dancers, and more to support Grace Fisher Fdn • Granada Theatre • $30-88 • granadasb.org • 6pm Su, 12/14.

OUTDOORS

Volunteer Planting Day • Plant nearly 700 native plants • San Marcos Foothills Preserve • RSVP with Channel Islands Restoration: cirweb.org • 9am-12pm & 12:303:30pm Su, 12/14.

Beach Cleanup • Care for our shores • Explore Ecology, Arroyo Burro Beach • 10am-12pm Su, 12/14.

Sunday Architecture Tour

• Guided stroll through SB’s Architectural charm • Begins at SB Downtown Library • Architectural Foundation of SB • $20 • afsb.org • 10am Sun.

Marquez

Photo courtesy of PCPA

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

The Christmas Revels

JOURNEY TO A TIMELESS EUROPEAN VILLAGE, where the Sun, Moon, and Stars visit to share tales, riddles, magic, as The Christmas Revels present “The Celestial Fools – A Magical Winter’s Tale” at the Lobero Theatre at 2:30pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 20th and 21st. With dozens of local performers participating, the show will incorporate music, dancing, and audience engagement for a joyful winter celebration.

For tickets ($41-81) visit lobero.org

TEENS

Cozy Reading & Cocoa • Hot cocoa, browse holiday books, make paper snowflakes • For teens, families, and friends • Central Library • Free • 5-6:30pm Tu, 12/16.

Wednesday 12/17

LECTURES/MEETINGS

Knitting & Crochet Club • Louise Lowry Davis Ctr • All levels/English/ Spanish • Free • 9-11:30am Wed.

Le Cercle Français • French conversation, all levels • The Natural Cafe • https://tinyurl.com/5ejbd9ye • Free • 5-6:30pm Wed.

MUSIC

Open Jam • At Revolver Pizza. Bring an instrument. Jam with other musicians • 1429 San Andres St • Free • revolversb.com • 6-9pm Wed.

Thursday 12/18

LECTURES/MEETINGS

Trail Talks Open Mic: Tales from the Wild • Hear stories from local hikers, birders, and nature lovers • Central Library, Faulkner Gallery • Free • 6:30-7:30pm Th, 12/18.

Let it Glow!

PARTY ALONG TO LIVE MUSIC AND VIEW ILLUMINATED ART INSTALLATIONS when Summer Solstice Celebration hosts a free Winter Solstice street party along the 500 to 700 blocks of State Street from 5 to 9pm on Saturday, December 20th. Participating businesses will give special discounts with key word “Solstice,” and all are encouraged to wear glowing or icy gear! Local Brasscals will perform, with Fishbon, SkateOfive, and the Santa Barbara creative community joining in the fun to make this a solstice to remember.

Channel Islands Restoration: cirweb.org • 7am-6pm Fr, 12/19.

Saturday 12/20

SPECIAL EVENTS

Let it Glow! • Winter Solstice light up costume street party, presented by Solstice Parade • Free • 5-10pm Sa, 12/20.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Light Up A Life 2025 • Honor departed loved ones with a ceremony and tree lighting • Hospice SB • Camino Real Marketplace • Free; $15 suggested donation • hospiceofsb.org/lual • 5pm Su, 12/14. Parade of Lights • Winter Wonderland play zone (3-5pm), decorated boat parade (5:30), and fireworks (7pm) • SB Harbor • Free • 3-7pm Su, 12/14.

Monday 12/15

LECTURES/MEETINGS

Scrabble Club • Louise Lowry Davis Center • All levels/ English/ Spanish • Free • 1-4pm Mon.

Parliamo • Italian conversation, all levels • Natural Cafe, 361 Hitchcock Way • Free • parliamo.yolasite.com • 5-6:30pm Mon.

Tuesday 12/16

COMEDY

Carpinteria Improv Drop-In

Class • Learn or practice skills • Alcazar Theatre • $10 • 7pm Tu.

LECTURES/MEETINGS

Montecito Book Club • Discuss A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles • Montecito Library • Free • 2-3pm Tu, 12/16.

Storytelling is the Revolution • Free poetry workshops 18+ • Community Arts Workshop • Free, register: sbcaw.org • 5-7pm Tu & Th, starting 12/2. Through March.

Chess Club • Louise Lowry Davis Center • All levels/ English/Spanish • Free • 1-4pm Tue.

OUTDOORS

Student Tea Session • Observe a Japanese tea ceremony • SB Botanic Garden, Tea Garden • Included with admission • 10am-12:30pm Tu, 12/16.

SPECIAL EVENTS

43rd Annual Messiah Sing

Along • Join professional and student musicians for a performance of Handel’s Messiah • Benefit for Unity Shoppe • Scores and tickets available at Chaucer’s Books; Unity Gift Shoppe; at the door • $10 • 7:30pm Tu, 12/16.

Weekly Protest • Protesting current gov. and calling for human rights • Women’s March SB • SB County Courthouse • 4-6pm Thu.

MUSIC

Open Mic Night • Maverick Saloon • 8:30-11pm Th, 12/18.

OUTDOORS

Elings Park Transformation

Project • Volunteer to help care for natural lands • Register with Channel Islands Restoration: cirweb.org • 9am12pm & 12:30-3:30pm Th, 12/18.

Friday 12/19

DANCE

The Nutcracker • Holiday ballet presented by State Street Ballet

• Granada Theatre • $30-130 • granadasb.org • 6pm Fr, 12/19; 2pm & 7:30pm Sa, 12/20; 2pm Su, 12/21.

SBHS Annual Fall Dance Recital • Students perform hip hop, jazz, and more • $5-10 • https://tinyurl.com/3usr7eav • 7pm Fr, 12/19.

OUTDOORS

Volunteer at Cavern Point Restoration Project • Volunteer to care for land with a day trip to Santa Cruz Island • Register with

CHILDREN

Storytime @ the Sea Center • All ages • Free w/ admission • SBNature.org • 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.

Crafternoon • Fun crafts, ages 5+ • Explore Ecology Makerspace • $8 • exploreecology.org • 10am-12pm, Sat.

COMEDY

Erica Rhodes SB Comedy Show • Fundraiser for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation • Speakeasy Comedy Shows, 409 State St • $30 • sbcomedyclub.com • 7pm Sa, 12/20.

MUSIC

The Christmas Revels • Community musical performance: “The Celestial Fools – A Magical Winter’s Tale” • Lobero Theatre • $4181 • lobero.org • 2:30pm Sa, 12/20 & 2:30pm Su, 12/21.

OUTDOORS

Holiday Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, 1-mile Run • Race for all ages • Goleta Beach Park • $23-80 • https://tinyurl.com/mt5f8jtr • 8am12pm Sa, 12/20.

Volunteer Planting Day • Plant nearly 700 native plants • San Marcos Foothills Preserve • RSVP with Channel Islands Restoration: cirweb.org • 9am-12pm & 12:303:30pm Sa, 12/20.

Sunday 12/21

CHILDREN

Free Eye Exams and Eyeglasses For Kids • For all ages under 18; first come basis • SB Eyeglass Factory, 1 S Milpas St • 9am2pm Su, 12/21.

LECTURES/MEETINGS

Goleta Valley Library Poetry Club • All ages welcome to listen, share, and connect • Goleta Community Center • Free • 2-3:30pm Su, 12/21.

SPECIAL EVENTS

36th Annual Living Nativity • Recreation of the holy night with live animals • First United Methodist Church • Free • 5:30-7:30pm Su, 12/21.

To have your events included in VOICE Magazine's calendar or arts listings, please email information to Calendar@ VoiceSB.com by noon the Monday before publication.

Photo courtesy of Summer Solstice

Photo by Heidi Bergseteren

Bird of the Month

December 2025 Santa Barbara Audubon Society

SB Botanic Garden Unveils Year-Long

Centennial Celebration for 2026

NEW EXHIBITIONS, EXCITING EVENTS, AND CHANCES FOR COMMUNITY CONNECTION will kick off a year of festivities as the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden celebrates its 100th anniversary as the first botanic garden in the United States dedicated exclusively to native plants.

“As we begin our second century, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden stands not only as one of our community’s treasured assets, but as a statewide leader demonstrating how native plants are essential to sustaining life on this planet,” said Steve Windhager, Ph.D., executive director of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “The work happening here – from botanical and horticultural research and rare plant conservation to inspiring and training the next generation of conservation leaders - is made possible by a dedicated and deeply talented team of staff and volunteers. But it’s also carried forward by our community, who have embraced the Garden as a place of learning, connection, and refuge for generations. Our Centennial honors that shared legacy and inspires what we will achieve together in the next 100 years.”

Centennial highlights will include the 13th Annual Conservation Symposium on January 31st, which will honor entomologist and best-selling author Doug Tallamy. The Garden will also aim to have 10,000 people make the Native Plant Pledge and take action to support native plant conservation. A new, curated Centennial Route will also make its debut to guide visitors through the Garden’s historic sites.

Additional programming will include the release of a new “Behind the Scenes” video series about the Garden, a Centennial Beer Garden event on March 14th, and special events to celebrate Native Plant Month in April.

Centennial art exhibitions will be on display starting in May, including a gallery show and a series of outdoor art installations.

Festivities will continue through the fall of 2026, with a major community celebration to be announced in the new year. Locals are invited to register for Garden memberships or sign up to volunteer to support the organization in its 100th year.

SBBotanicGarden.org/100years

Join the 126th Christmas Bird Count

CALLING ALL BIRDERS!

Experienced and emerging bird lovers are invited to take place in the 126th Christmas Bird Count, hosted by the National Audubon Society each winter. Held from December 14th to January 5th, with the local Santa Barbara Audubon Society chapter event taking place on Saturday, January 3rd. Participants will contribute vital data on regional bird populations that will shape research and conservation efforts in the new year and beyond. To learn more and register to participate visit santabarbaraaudubon.org/santa-barbara-christmas-bird-count

Photo by Zack Lloyd

By Rebecca Coulter, Santa Barbara Audubon Society / Special to VOICE

IN WINTER, our Western Sycamore trees often have clusters of Mistletoe high in their leafless upper canopies. The Mistletoe produces lots of white berries, which are favored by many birds, including this striking, glossy black flycatcher, the Phainopepla. The males live up to their Greek name, meaning “shining cloak,” with their silky black plumage set off by a long shaggy crest and cherry-red eye. Wherever you see Mistletoe, listen for the Phainopepla’s soft “Wurp?” call from up in the Sycamores, and you might glimpse this beauty among the berries.

ZooLights Returns to Santa Barbara Zoo for Family-Friendly Fun and New Adult Nights

WANDER THROUGH ILLUMINATED FORESTS OF FROGS, BIRDS, PANDAS, and more at Zoolights, now on display at the Santa Barbara Zoo through January 11th. Featuring thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns lighted by more than 50,000 LED bulbs, interactive play areas for children and families, and plenty of seasonal snacks and cozy drinks, Zoolights has emerged as a beloved local tradition.

New to the 2025 season are Adult Nights, with the next one scheduled for December 18th.

Exclusive to visitors ages 21 and up, the evening will offer complimentary beer and wine tastings from local vendors, food trucks, and the chance to dance under the stars to live music.

Proceeds from ZooLights directly benefit animal care and conservation science at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The holiday program will be open from 4:30 to 8:30pm on select dates, with tickets ranging from $20 to $34, depending on Zoo membership status and peak or non-peak dates. To purchase tickets visit sbzoo.org/zoolights

Picassos4Peanuts Show

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Begin

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. - Goethe

Submissions are now open. To participate: email up to three images to artcall@voicesb.art by end of day, December 28th.

Sculpture and 2D work is welcome.

Label images with artist name.title of the piece. Entry email must also include: artist’s name, telephone number, material, dimensions, price.

ACCEPTED entries pay fee at the ingathering $40 - 1st piece; $35 - 2nd piece; $30 - 3rd piece. All pieces must be wired or pedestal ready. NO brackets, saw tooth, etc.

Sales: 70% to artist / 30% to gallery.

Ingathering: Accepted art must be dropped off between 11am-1pm, Sunday, January 4th.

Exhibition Dates: January 5th to 31st, 2026

Unsold Art Pick Up: Saturday, January 31st - 3 to 5pm

Opening Reception: January 9th • 5-8pm Questions? Call Kerry Methner • 805-570-2011

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Gallery January 2026 Exhibition John R.

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The Gift: New Additions to Our Story

Artifacts donated to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum over the last decade enrich our common history in a thoughtful new exhibition

By Isaac Hernández de Lipa / VOICE

YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE TINY PIECES OF HISTORY

LAYING AROUND YOUR HOME, like old political buttons from LBJ, JFK, or FDR. Or, maybe Santa Barbara Motor Coach tokens from 1954 or a shrapnel fragment from the February 23, 1942 Japanese submarine attack off the Ellwood oil fields. These are just some of the gifts now on exhibit at the SBHM.

Or if you’re from the De La Guerra family, you might have especially old local curiosities, like the Our Lady of Atocha relic from circa 1800, inherited from great-grandfather José de la Guerra y Noriega. Thanks to their donation, that too is now part of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum story.

The Gift is a little history of Santa Barbara characters, like Carl Dittman, who arrived in Santa Barbara in 1844. His beautiful Dolland of London telescope made it to SBHM in 2015, courtesy of Susan Morris. Dittman and his hunting friend, George Nidever, are credited with having found Juana Maria, the Nicoleño Chumash woman who lived alone on San Nicolás Island for 18 years, which Scott O’Dell used for inspiration for his famed children’s book, Island of the Blue Dolphins.

You can also see a pewter tankard, donated by the crew of The Gibraltar in 1866 to Captain Thomas W. Moore, who, after a life of sailing the Atlantic

and Pacific oceans, came to Santa Barbara for his health in 1855, where he became a rancher, store owner, and politician. This practical, lidded beer mug arrived at SBHM in 2012, donated by Candace W. Schoonover.

The Gift also showcases a rich collection of paraphernalia from the 1984 Olympic Games, gifted by Gerd and Peter Jordano, who was the honorary mayor of the Olympic Village at the UCSB campus.

You can also experience artists’ guest books, maps, a branding iron, illustrations, comics, and quite a few paintings that tell the story of the West, but also of the talented artists who have resided here, including three exquisite night oil paintings by Will Sparks (1862-1937) and a bright Desert Landscape by John Marshall Gamble (1863-1957), who moved to Santa Barbara after he lost his studio in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, all donated by Evelyn Sullivan. Gamble was president of the Santa Barbara School of the Arts in the 1920s and 1930s. Lockwood de Forest (1850-1932), who had called Santa Barbara home since 1915, is also represented, with his View from Mainland to Santa Cruz Island (c. 1905).

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce has also contributed with a beautiful painting of its Anacapa Street headquarters circa 2005 by Chris Potter (1977-2024), who had abandoned his stock broker career to become a full-time artist. The chamber also donated an embossing stamp from 1899.

There are too many other majestic items donated by generous Santa Barbarans to list, but a mention is required of the commanding tapestry from the 1906 El Fureidis Estate in Montecito.

The Gift wouldn’t be complete without artifacts rescued from the Santa Barbara News-Press, with a collage of photographic prints including one of artist/activist Bud Bottoms and oilcovered pelicans from the 1969 Union Oil platform blow-out, and another of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, who had also called Santa Barbara home.

The Gift: New Additions to Our Story opens December 12, 2025 and runs until May 2026. Admission is free. sbhistorical.org

Photos by Isaac Hernández de Lipa and Courtesy o SB Historical Museum

ART VENUES

Cards and more

dimarcogallery.com

Goleta Photographer Frank DiMarco

10 West Gallery • Interpretive Thinking • Through Jan 11 • 10 W Anapamu • 11-5 We-Mo • 805-7707711 • 10westgallery.com

Architectural Fdn Gallery • Kids Draw Architecture • through Jan 4 • 229 E Victoria • 805-965-6307 • 1–4 some Sa & By Appt • afsb.org

ART EVENTS

Awards Reception Wing It •

Annual Jury Competition • View works by 30+ local artists • SB Tennis Club • Free • 4:30-6pm Fr, 12/12.

Sketching in the Galleries

• Draw inspired by art • SB Museum of Art • Free for members, students, and with admission • sbma.net • 11:15am12:15pm Sa, 12/13.

Falling Into The Future:

Kinetic Art at The Edge of the World • Exhibition planning symposium with artists, hosted by MCASB • Center Stage Theater • Free • 10am-3pm Sun, 12/14.

Opening reception • Holiday exhibition • Featured artists Beth Westen and Rebecca August • Marcia Burtt Gallery • Free • 11am-2pm Su, 12/14.

Block Print Holiday Cards Workshop • Printmaking class for beginners and up • California

Daniel Bollag

LCCCA Illuminations Gallery La Cumbre Plaza DanielBaruchBollag@gmail.com

Art & Soul Gallery • Inside This Place: Marlyn Daggett • through Dec • 1323 State St • artandsoulsb.com

Art, Design & Architecture Museum, UCSB • Tiffany Chung: indelible traces • Opens Jan 17 - Apr 26 • 12-5 Wed-Sun • museum.ucsb.edu

Nature Art Museum, Solvang • $65 • calnatureartmuseum.org • 12:30-4:30pm Su, 12/14.

ArtLabbé Academy Open House • See student artwork, hear musical performances • ArtLabbé Santa Barbara, 111 Santa Barbara St. • Free • 5-7pm Tu, 12/16.

Artist Conversation • Learn about the creative process and practice of artist Kristen Tolles • Maker House Annex • Free, RSVP to info@makerhouse.org • 6-7pm Tu, 12/16.

Picassos4Peanuts • Goleta Valley Art Association Annual Show & Sale, all works $300 or less • Community Arts Workshop • 55-8pm Fr, 12/19; 10-4pm Sa, 12/20.

Carpinteria Creative Arts Market • Local pottery, beach art, cards, jewelry, and sewn articles • 8th St & Linden Av • Free • 2:30-6 Thur.

SB Arts & Crafts Show • Local artists & artisans

Art From Scrap • Explore Ecology • exploreecology.org

ArtLabbé Gallery • free weekly art, music, and exercise classes to our individuals with special needs and family members • 111 Santa Barbara St, Suite H • artlabbe.org

Atkinson Gallery • SBCC atkinsongallerysbcc.com

Bella Rosa Galleries • 1103-A State St • 11-5 daily • 805-966-1707

The Carriage and Western Art Museum • Old Spanish Days Trophy Saddles; Victoria Stables Wagon

• Ongoing • Free • 129 Castillo St • 805-962-2353 • 9-3 Mo-Fr • carriagemuseum.org

California Nature Art Museum

• Lulu Hyggelig: California’s First Thomas Dambo Troll • ongoing • Wild in California • Through Feb 23 • 1511 B Mission Dr, Solvang • 11-4 Mo, Th, Fr; 11-5 Sa & Su • calnatureartmuseum.org

Casa de La Guerra • Santa Barbara 1925 – 2025: A Portrait in Maps; Once a Don, Always a Don • ongoing • $5/ Free • 15 East De la Guerra St • 12-4 Th-Su • sbthp.org/casadelaguerra

Casa del Herrero • Gardens & House • by reservation • 1387 East Valley Rd • tours 10 & 2 We & Sa • 805-565-5653 • casadelherrero.com

Channing Peake Gallery • Form and Frame: Abstraction, Community, and the Language of Art • 8-5 M-F • 105 E Anapamu St, 1st fl • 805-568-3994

Colette Cosentino Atelier + Gallery • 11 W Anapamu St • By Appt • colettecosentino.com

Community Arts Workshop • 631 Garden St • 10-6pm Fri & By Appt. • sbcaw.org

Corridan Gallery • Glorious California • 125 N Milpas • 11-5 We-Sa • 805-966-7939 • corridan-gallery.com

Cypress Gallery • Deck the Walls • through Dec • 119 E Cypress Av, Lompoc • 1-4 Sa & Su • 805-737-1129 • lompocart.org

El Presidio De Santa Bárbara

• Nihonmachi Revisited; Memorias y Facturas - ongoing • 123 E Canon Perdido St • 10:30-4:30 Daily • sbthp.org

Elverhøj Museum • history & Danish culture of Solvang • 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang • 805-686-1211

• 11-5 Th-Mo • elverhoj.org

RUTH ELLEN HOAG www.ruthellenhoag.com @ruthellenhoag 805-689-0858

~inquire for studio classes~

Faulkner Gallery • 40 E Anapamu St • 10-7 Mo-Th; 10-5 Fri, Sa; 12-5 Sun • 805-962-7653.

Fazzino 3-D Studio Gallery • 3-D original fine art • 1011 State St • 805730-9109 • Fazzino.com

Gallery 113 • Members of the SB Art Assn • 1114 State St, #8, La Arcada Ct • 805-965-6611 • 11-5 Mo-Sa; 1-4 Su • gallery113sb.com

Gallery Los Olivos • Winter Celebration through Dec • Daily 104pm • 2920 Grand Av • 805-688-7517 • gallerylosolivos.com

Ganna Walska Lotusland • Gardens • by reservation • 695 Ashley Rd • 805-969-9990 • lotusland.org

Grace Fisher Fdn • Inclusive Arts Clubhouse • Paintings by Grace Fisher • 121 S Hope, La Cumbre Plaza • WeSu 11-5pm • gracefisherfoundation.org

Indah Gallery • Kellen Meyer’s wild weavings: stories of wonder • through Dec 21 • 12-5 Fri-Sun • 2190 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez • maxgleason.com/indah-gallery

James Main Fine Art • 19th & 20th

Century Fine art & antiques • 27 E De La Guerra St • 12-5 Tu-Sa • Appt Suggested • 805-962-8347

Jewish Federation of Greater SB • Portraits of Survival interactive ~ Ongoing • 9-4pm Mo-Fr • 524 Chapala St • 805-957-1115 ext. 114

Karpeles Manuscript Library

Museum • a million+ historical documents • 21-23 W Anapamu • 10-4 Tu-Su • 805-962-5322 • karpeles.com

Kathryne Designs • Local Artists • 1225 Coast Village Rd, A • 10-5 Mo-Sa; 11-5 Su • 805-565-4700 • kathrynedesigns.com

La Cumbre Center For Creative Arts • Celebrating 6 years! • Fine Line Gallery; Elevate Gallery; Illuminations Gallery • Multi-Artist Studio/Gallery Spaces • La Cumbre

Plaza • 12-5 Tu-Su • lcccasb.com

Lompoc Library Grossman Gallery • 501 E North Av, Lompoc • 805-588-3459

Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center • 12-4 Th-Su • 865 Linden • 805-684-7789 • carpinteriaartscenter.org

Maker House • A Gesture Repeated • 1351 Holiday Hill Rd • 805-565-CLAY • 10-4 Daily • makerhouse.org

Maker House Annex • A gallery & retail space • through Dec • 913 State St • 805-565-CLAY • Tues: 2-7pm; We, Thu, Sun 12-6pm; Fri/Sat: 12-7pm • makerhouse.org

Marcia Burtt Gallery • Holiday 2025 • through Dec 28 • Landscape paintings, prints, & books • 517 Laguna St • 1-5 Th-Su • 805-962-5588 • artlacuna.com

Mate Gallery • beach images alongside vintage oils, gifts • 1014 Coast Village Rd • 805-895-6283 • mategallery.com

MOXI, The Wolf Museum• of Exploration + Innovation • 10-5 Daily • 125 State St • 805-770-5000 • moxi.org

Museum of Contemporary Art

Santa Barbara • San Milano Drive: DJ Javier • 11-6pm Tu-Sun • 653 Paseo Nuevo • mcasantabarbara.org

MCASB Satellite @ the Riviera Beach House • Makahiya: I Wanted You to Feel the Same by Godofredo Astudillo • through Apr 12 • 9-9pm Daily • 121 State • mcasantabarbara.org

Museum of Tibetan Art & Legacy Arts International • Wed-Sun 12-8pm • 310-880-6671 • lamatashinorbu.org / legacyartsb.com

Palm Loft Gallery • A Fine Bunch of Cool Cats: Reflections of the Soul • Through Jan 25 • 410 Palm Av, Loft A1, Carpinteria • 1-6 Fr-Su & By Appt • 805-684-9700 • palmloft.com

A. Michael Marzolla, Fine Artist Excogitation Services/Marzozart Paintings, drawings, prinits Commissions accepted www.marzozart.com

Patricia Clarke Studio • An American Girl project; Primal Wild; Correspondences, Erasing Lines, and Facing Ourselves • 410 Palm Av, Carpinteria • By Appt • 805-452-7739 • patriciaclarkestudio.com

Peregrine Galleries • Early CA & American paintings; fine vintage jewelry • 1133 Coast Village Rd • 805252-9659 • peregrine.shop

Peter Horjus Design • Studio • 11 W Figueroa St • peterhorjus.com

Portico Gallery • Jordan Pope & Gallery Artists • Open Daily • 1235 Coast Village Rd • 805-729-8454 • porticofinearts.com

Rubenstein Chan Contemporary Art • Earth that Remembers: Wrona Gall and Hung Viet Nguyen through Dec 24 • 410 Palm Av, Unit B3, Carpinteria • 805-576-6152: info/appt • RubensteinChan.com

Santa Barbara Art Works • Arts Education for All • 28 E Victoria St • 805-260-6705 • M-F 8:30-4:30 • sbartworks.org

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden • Join the Enlichenment through Dec 7 • 1212 Mission Canyon Rd • 10-5 daily • 805-682-4726 • sbbg.org

Santa Barbara Fine Art • SB landscapes & sculptor Bud Bottoms • 1321 State St • 12-6 Tu-Sa & By Appt • 805-845-4270 • santabarbarafineart.com

Santa Barbara Historical Museum • Ludmilla Pila Welch: Serene Santa Barbara through Mar 26; Edward Borein Gallery, and The Story of Santa Barbara ~ ongoing • 136 E De la Guerra • 12-5 We, Fri-Su; 12-7 Th • 805-966-1601 • sbhistorical.org

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

• Redwoods of the Sea • through Jan 4

• The Chumash, Whaling, Commercial Diving, Surfing, Shipwrecks, First Order

Fresnel Lens, and SB Lighthouse Women Keepers ~ Ongoing • 113 Harbor Wy, Ste 190 • 10-5 Daily • 805-962-8404 • SBMM.org

Santa Barbara Museum Of Art

• The Impressionist Revolution and Encore • Through Jan 25; By Achilles’ Tomb: Elliott Hundley and Antiquity @ SBMA through Feb 22 • 1130 State St • 11-5 Tu-Su; 5-8 1st Th free; 2nd Sun free Tri-Co residents • 805-963-4364 • sbma.net

Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History • The Living Print through May 30; Drawn from Nature through Mar 26 • 2559 Puesta del Sol • 10-5 We-Mo • sbnature.org

Santa Barbara Sea Center • Dive In: Our Changing Channel ~ Ongoing • 211 Stearns Wharf • 10-5 Daily • 805682-4711 • sbnature.org

Santa Barbara Tennis Club2nd Fridays Art • WING IT/2025

• through Dec 30 • 2375 Foothill Rd • 10-6 Daily • 805-682-4722 • 2ndfridaysart.com

Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum • 3596 Sagunto St • 12-4pm Wed-Sun • santaynezmuseum.org.

Sahyun Genealogical Library

• welcoming everyone who is researching their family history • 316 Castillo St • Tue/Thu 10-4; Sun & 3rd Sat 1-4 • SBGen.org

Seimandi & Leprieur • Jardin Nocturne by Dora Vital, curated by Jen Huang Bogan • 33 W Anapamu St. • Wed-Sat 11-6 • 805-610-1203 • seimandileprieur.com

Slice of Light Gallery • Fall 2025; Photography by JK Lovelace • 9 W Figueroa St • Mo-Fr 10-5 • 805-3545552 • sliceoflight.com

Stewart Fine Art • Early CA Plein

Air Paintings + European Fine Art + Antiques • 539 San Ysidro Rd • 115:30 Mo-Sa • 805-845-0255

Strange Family Vineyards

Tasting room • Gallery Los Olivos artists: Cheers to Art- Framed Prints for the Holidays • Through Dec • 2933 Grand Ave, Los Olivos • StrangeFamilyVineyards.com 805 315-3662

Sullivan Goss • Irresistible: Flowers & Their Admirers through Dec 22; 100 Grand through Dec 28 • 11 E Anapamu St • 10-5:30 daily • 805-7301460 • sullivangoss.com

Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum • 122 W Canon Perdido • 11-4 Fr-Sa; Su-Th by appt • quinlanmuseum.com • 805-687-4623

SYV Historical Museum & Carriage House • Art of The Western Saddle • ongoing • 3596 Sagunto St, SY • 12-4 Sa, Su • 805688-7889 • santaynezmuseum.org

Picassos4Peanuts to

Pop Up at CAW

A CREATIVE AND WARM HOLIDAY EVENT, The Goleta Valley Art Association’s annual Picassos4Peanuts show and sale features original art and highend crafts by local artists. It returns this year in a new location, the Community Arts Workshop (CAW), 631 Garden Street at Ortega Street in Santa Barbara.

The two day event opens with a reception (and sale) on Friday, December 19th, from 5 to 8pm and the fun continues on Saturday, December 20th, from 10am to 4pm. Local artists gather and visit as the sale progresses, with many items to choose from - paintings, collage, gifts, cards, candles... The range is wide and finding something special is easy. And, one of the main features is that everything from paintings to gifts is $300 or less.

“We are delighted to offer this show of ‘original artwork for not very much money’, as well as the beautiful crafts of our members, to friends and neighbors as they shop for wonderful paintings and gifts at excellent prices,” said Elizabeth Flanagan, president of the organization.

The event is at CAW due to the temporary closure of the Goleta Public Library, the organization’s traditional site for exhibitions and sales.

The Goleta Valley Art Association began as a small group of artists who first met in March 1963, showing their artwork at a Goleta bank. From its first meeting place in the office of the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce to its present-day site at the Goleta Public Library, the Association has grown from 16 members to over 200 members. thegoletavalleyartassociation.org

Tamsen Gallery • Inside Heaven’s Gate – Behind the Scenes with Susan Bridges through Dec 31 • 1309 State St • 12-5 We-Su • 805-705-2208 • tamsengallery.com

UCSB Library Ocean Gallery • Art of Science through Mar 17; Unyielding Voices: Global Resistance and the Black Radical Tradition • through Jun 12 • library.ucsb.edu

Voice Gallery • Sunshine and the Blues • through Dec 27 • La Cumbre Plaza H-124 • 10-5:30 M-F; 1-5 Sa-Su • 805-965-6448

Waterhouse Gallery Montecito • Notable CA & National Artists • 1187 Coast Village Rd • 11-5 Mo-Su • 805962-8885 • waterhousegallery.com

Waterhouse Gallery SB • Notable CA & National Artists • La Arcada Ct, 1114 State St, #9 • 11-5 Mo-Sa • 805962-8885 • waterhousegallery.com

Waterlight Studio • Handcrafted ceramics by Suzanne Schwager • 18 W Micheltoreana St #D • Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum Of Art • Between Planes: Prints by Sculptors • through Dec 20 • Weekdays 10-4, Sat 11-5 • westmont.edu/museum

The Yes Store • Art by Local Artists • 1015 State St • M-F: 11am-6pm; Sa:10:30am-6pm; Su: 10:30am-5pm • theyesstore.com

Artists:

See your work here! Join Voice Magazine’s Print & Virtual Gallery! To find out more, email Publisher@VoiceSB.com

Picasso’s Elf, by Adria Abraham

US seizes Cuba-bound Venezuelan oil tanker, ramping up pressure on Maduro

The seizure off the Venezuelan coast is a major escalation of U.S. aggression toward the South American nation.

By Eric Bazail-Eimil and James Bikales / Politico

12/10/2025 03:34 PM EST

Updated: 12/10/2025 06:34 PM EST

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAID WEDNESDAY that U.S. officials have seized a “very large” oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a major escalation of the administration’s months of efforts to punish the South American petrostate.

“As you probably know we have just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, the largest one ever seized actually,” Trump said at an event at the White House. “It was seized for a very good reason.”

The White House did not provide additional details about the vessel. But a person familiar with the matter, granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive seizure, said the ship was en route to Cuba, where the state firm Cubametales was planning to sell it to Asian energy brokers.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed in an X post that the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Coast Guard “executed a seizure warrant” on the vessel, which she said was used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.

“For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations,” Bondi wrote.

A video posted by Bondi showed armed operators descending ropes from helicopters onto the deck of the vessel before entering what appeared to be the bridge.

Matt Smith, lead oil analyst at commodity tracking firm Kpler, said the ship seized Wednesday — believed to be a Panama-flagged tanker called Skipper — was not commercially trackable and probably had its automatic identification system turned off.

Skipper is registered to Triton Navigation, a corporation registered in the Marshall Islands, according to the Treasury Department’s “Specially Designated Nationals” list. Treasury in 2022 called Triton one of a number of “shipping companies critical to the oil smuggling network” supporting Iran’s Hezbollah.

Given U.S. sanctions, most of Venezuela’s oil production goes to China, including through third-party countries or on shadow tankers without tracking software.

Bloomberg first reported on the seizure of the tanker.

The action occurred two days after an interview with POLITICO in which Trump repeatedly declined to rule out sending troops to Venezuela to bring down leader Nicolás Maduro, whom Trump accused of exporting drugs and criminals to the United States. The Trump administration has spent months pressuring Maduro to cede power to the opposition, an escalation which has included restoring sanctions, building up the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, and using lethal force against boats the U.S. alleges are trafficking drugs in concert with the Venezuelan military.

Cuba’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Attempts to reach Venezuela’s national oil company Petróleos de Venezuela were unsuccessful.

Trump signaled the U.S. would keep the seized oil, but seemed unsure of its destination. “We keep it, I guess,” he said before suggesting that a reporter “get a helicopter and follow the tanker” to learn what port it was heading to.

The seizure could put pressure on shippers to stop taking Venezuelan crude, potentially tightening global oil supplies. U.S. crude prices jumped one percent Wednesday afternoon, to just under $59 a barrel. Trump, who has repeatedly pointed to declining gasoline prices amid voters’ complaints about the rising cost of living, repeated his claim Wednesday that gasoline prices had dropped to $1.99 a gallon, though data collected by the American Automobile Association put the national average slightly below $3 per gallon.

Jorge León, senior vice president and head of geopolitical analysis for Rystad Energy, said in a text message that the seizure is a “clear escalation from financial sanctions to physical interdiction — it raises the stakes for Caracas and anyone facilitating its exports.”

“This kind of action adds a geopolitical floor to prices: Even modest volumes can move sentiment when the risk is about sea lanes and state-to-state escalation,” León said.

But David Goldwyn, head of the international energy consulting firm Goldwyn Global Strategies and a former State Department official in the Obama administration, said the impact on Venezuelan oil exports is likely to be “modest” as long as the ship was on the U.S. sanctions list.

“Chinese trade for the most part is not going on sanctioned vessels,” Goldwyn said. He said most exports are likely to continue “unless Chinese importers are foolish enough to use sanctioned vessels” or the administration shifts its policy to interdict all vessels carrying Venezuelan crude.

Goldwyn said the U.S. has the authority to seize vessels on Treasury’s “Specially Designated Nationals” list, but the power has been rarely exercised.

“The U.S. has not seized ships on the SDN recently that I am aware of, but largely because we have not had flotillas off the shores of Iran or Russia, nor has it been a mission for the U.S. Navy to seize these sanctions violators,” he said. “The U.S. has largely made it hard for these designated companies and shippers to participate in international commerce because no legitimate company or bank wants to transact with an SDN.”

In 2014, U.S. Navy SEALs boarded and seized the oil tanker Morning Glory off Cyprus after Libyan rebels filled it with crude stolen from the Libyan government.

Clayton Seigle, a senior fellow in the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Energy Security and Climate Change Program, said the vessel seizure was a tactic to up the pressure on Caracas, but a relative “non-event” for the oil markets.

“Sanctioned oil movements anywhere around the world are subject to enforcement by enforcing authorities,” Seigle said. “Although this might kind of turn a page and be a bit novel in our approach, other countries have also interdicted sanctioned vessels transporting commodities.”

Chevron is the only U.S. producer still operating in Venezuela, under a license the Trump administration renewed earlier this year.

Bill Turenne, a Chevron spokesperson, said the company’s operations in the country “continue without disruption and in full compliance with laws and regulations applicable to its business,” and directed questions about the security situation to the U.S. government.

Isa Domínguez contributed to this report.

Printed with permission: Politico article, 12/10/25

December 2nd to 27th,

By Ellen Yeomans

By Frank DiMarco

By Bruce Berlow

By Jane Mick

By Lauren Kearns