VOICE Magazine: July 25, 2025 by Voice Magazine / CASA

Photo by Phil Channing

Photo by Alejandro Navarro

#2 Best Resort in California

#3 Best Resort in the U.S.

#21 best Resort in the World -travel and leisure

(just go to the bar and mention our award)

¡ Viva la Welcome! ¡ bienvenida!

By Kerry Methner, VOICE

DRAWING A PAGE FROM SANTA BARBARA’S HISTORY, Old Spanish Days Fiesta looks to the party and tradition to celebrate the best of the multiple cultures represented in our community. From the Chumash who have cared for the land for centuries, to the Mexican peoples, and the Spanish who brought the missions, as well as the Californians migrating in from the rest of the U.S. and around the world, Santa Barbara is a special meeting place. Its mountains and ocean embrace its peoples offering beauty and a perfect setting for Fiesta’s midsummer riot of color, dance, spice, and camaraderie.

And Wednesday it begins! From a ribbon cutting in De la Guerra Plaza, with a full schedule of dancing, food, and fun at Mercado de La Guerra (see page 17), to the official opening night performance, La Fiesta Pequeña, nearly everyone can find a way to enjoy Santa Barbara’s renowned summer hospitality.

While this year’s Fiesta has already included a host of preparation and pre-fiesta fiestas, the little fiesta - La Fiesta Pequeña - on the steps of the Mission on Wednesday, July 30th at 8pm shines. An extravaganza of cultural entertainment and fun, the event may be one of the defining moments on Santa Barbara’s calendar. For the Spirit and Junior Spirit it frames a pivotal life moment.

Sliding past Wednesday, visitors and locals alike can

Fiesta!

discover romantic evenings of music and dance at Las Noches de Ronda, held at the Court House Sunken Garden or take in one of the two daytime parades on Cabrillo Blvd. There are also mercados, art and craft shows, and a Mujeres Market.

The Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo tradition continues this year with roping, penning, & Jr. events at the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center (sbfiestarodeo.org) from Friday to Sunday. Keep reading and find more ways to experience Santa Barbara’s marquee celebration.

La Fiesta Pequeña - Santa Barbara’s Little Fiesta

By Marlon Dorantes / VOICE

THE ROMANCE OF DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT comes alive on the Mission Santa Barbara steps during La Fiesta Pequeña, signaling the beginning of Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Santa Barbara’s premiere festival. The Spirit of Fiesta, embodied in dancer Natalia Treviño, invites participants to celebrate history and the traditions of the Santa Barbara community.

As the evening unfolds, on Wednesday, July 31st, at 8 pm, the rhythmic and sonorous sounds of mariachi bands will set the pace for folklórico dancers, followed by flamenco, ballet, and modern dancers in the brilliant colors of a Fiesta, as well as a performance by the Music Academy of the West. They’re all a part of Santa Barbara’s Little Fiesta that has been celebrated for over 100 years.

“It is a great show, and a magical night, especially for the Spirit of Fiesta and Junior Spirit of Fiesta,” shared 1989 Spirit of Fiesta “Missy” Melissa Robledo Pulido, this year’s Director of Dance and Entertainment. The talent lineup for Wednesday includes 14 groups of dancers, a vocal soloist, El Presidente Fritz Olenberger, and Spirit of Fiesta Natalia Trevino and Junior Spirit of Fiesta Victoria Plascencia who will both don Fiesta white for a dance on the mission steps.

All community members are welcome to enjoy the free program from the Mission lawn or watch the event’s livestream on KEYT or broadcast on Channel 3 from 8 to 9:30 pm.

Photo by Alejandro Navarro

Los Niños de Las Flores posed for the annual group photograph in front of the Old Mission Santa Barbara on Saturday. The Flower Girls and Boys are Festival ambassadors. Watch for them everywhere as they bring cheer and welcome to those who can’t come out for festivities and to the community at large during events.

Natalia Treviño Spirit of Fiesta 2025

By Daisy Scott / VOICE

WEAVING DYNAMIC PASSION THROUGH FLAMENCO VIRTUOSITY, Natalia Treviño is fulfilling one of her longest-held dreams by dancing as the Spirit of Fiesta for this summer’s Old Spanish Days.

“My goal this Fiesta is bringing as much joy and positivity to my community and creating as many memories as possible with my Spirit sister, and being the best ambassador I can be,” shared Natalia.

Natalia wore her first flamenco dress when she was just six months old, as her mother (wearing a matching dress) pushed her in a flower-adorned stroller in El Desfile de los Niños. Her family’s Fiesta traditions date back to Natalia’s great grandmother, who was a Fiesta flower girl from 1956 to 1958.

Dancing in the footsteps of her mother and aunt, who are both flamenco dancers, Natalia began lessons at the age of two. She first studied with the Linda Vega Dance Studio, traveling with the studio to dance in Spain in 2019.

Like many Santa Barbara dancers, Natalia grew up hoping that she would realize one of the greatest accomplishments a young local flamenco dancer can achieve.

“Being a Spirit of Fiesta has been a childhood dream of mine,” she related. “When I was a toddler, I always looked up to the Spirit of Fiesta and it became a goal. Since then, flamenco has been my greatest passion, so to be able to share that with my community while also representing Old Spanish Days in the beautiful city of Santa Barbara is the greatest honor.”

Today, 16-year-old Natalia dances with instructor Jesalyn Contreras McCollum at local studio Contreras Flamenco Arts. She loves the fusion of creativity and reflection that drives flamenco, discovering new possibilities for selfexpression with each performance.

“Flamenco is like therapy for me,” explained Natalia. “I love expressing myself and I can feel any emotion when I’m dancing: I could either be happy, sad, mad, and just release those emotions.”

Now on summer break after completing her sophomore year at Bishop Diego High School, Natalia plans to ultimately study television and film production as well as business. She enjoys making short films and volunteers with the SB International Film Festival, also previously participating in the organization’s 10-10-10 program.

“I feel like dance and film are similar in that they’re ways where you get to tell stories, and again, express yourself and show how passionate you are,” she explained.

Natalia’s commitment and creativity have shined through her term as Spirit, during which time she has quickly learned and perfected new choreography for each of this year’s pre-Fiesta events. Yet she knows nothing will match the joy of wearing white

for the first time at Fiesta Pequeña and later dancing the length of Cabrillo Boulevard during El Desfile Histórico.

“It’s going to be such a memorable moment for me to dance at a historical event where many past spirits have performed,” said Natalia.

“I’m just so excited for this upcoming Fiesta!” she expressed.

The Profant Foundation for the Arts Fiesta Finale 2025

Enjoy fabulous cuisine, vibrant costumes, lively music and dancing - all while raising funds for scholarships.

Inspired by Erin Graffy, the Old Spanish Days Poster 2015

will come to life, and the Erin Graffy de Garcia Legacy Endowment will be officially christened during Fiesta Finale.

Sunday, August 3 at El Paseo Restaurant Doors open at 5:30pm - $300

Almost Sold Out - Make Your Reservation Today! (805) 705-9179 or JEProfant@gmail.com

Photo by Alejandro Navarro

Photo by Priscilla, 805city@gmail.com

Natalia Treviño dancing before Casa de la Guerra at the Pre-Fiesta Tea

Spirit of Fiesta Natalia Treviño

The Spirit of Fiesta with her family: Jose Cruz, Susana Cruz, Natalia Treviño, Araceli Cruz, and Susi Torres-Cruz

Capture the Spirit ! Meet El Presidente Fritz Olenberger

By Daisy Scott / VOICE

STEPPING INTO

FOCUS after

decades spent behind the camera lens,

Fritz Olenberger has taken the helm of our community’s biggest summer festival as Old Spanish Days’ 2025 El Presidente. His leadership marks a full circle moment 31 years in the making, as Olenberger looks towards kicking off the week’s excitement at Fiesta Pequeña, the very event that served as his first taste of our town.

“I just love the way it brings the community together,” shared Olenberger. “I think Fiesta is part of the DNA, it’s woven into the fabric of Santa Barbara. That was the experience I had back in 1994.”

Originally from the East Coast, Olenberger’s first visit to Santa Barbara coincided with Old Spanish Days. At the time, he worked as an engineer with Raytheon, who wanted Olenberger to relocate to their Goleta office. His first night in town, a local employee invited Olenberger and his wife, Gretchen, to join her for a picnic dinner to see Fiesta Pequeña at Old Mission Santa Barbara.

“If there was any doubt in our mind about whether or not we wanted to move to Santa Barbara, that probably allayed it,” said Olenberger. “When we got back to the hotel that night we said, boy wasn’t that

something, that was amazing! What a cool place Santa Barbara is.”

After Olenberger retired in 2009, his passion for Fiesta only grew as he began to experience it through a new lens—specifically, a camera lens. In the 16 years since his retirement, Olenberger has devoted his time to photography, capturing Santa Barbara’s biggest community events.

His reputation as the premier Fiesta photographer developed after he was invited to sit onstage during Las Noches de Ronda by a former coworker and dancer, Francisco Cabrera. In 2012, Olenberger formally joined the Old Spanish Days board.

His favorite part of photographing Fiesta is watching and honoring the dancers with his work.

“It’s so colorful and it can be a bit of a challenge, which I like,” said Olenberger. “It’s dark and you have fast action, and there’s such a variety of dance: flamenco, folklórico, Aztec, early Californian.”

Olenberger knew he wanted dance to take center stage for designing the 2025 Fiesta poster and pin. After poring over the thousands of photographs he has taken over the past 16 years, he decided to highlight the beauty of the two main types of dancers that grace Santa Barbara’s landmarks each summer: flamenco and folklórico dancers.

Olenberger decided to make the 2025 Fiesta theme, “Capture the Spirit,” a play on words that pays homage to the many ways in which he and the Santa Barbara community have preserved and shared Fiesta joy through the decades.

He teamed up with local artist Derek Harrison to transform one of his photographs of a local flamenco dancer into a gorgeous oil painting. Featuring a dancer caught in the middle of a dramatic twirl, her shawl popping out of the poster’s inset frame, Olenberger’s photo needed an artist that could capture the figure’s dynamic “S” shape and ecstatic expression.

“I wanted somebody that could depict the expression that was in the photograph,” explained Olenberger. “Dancers have an expression: dance like nobody’s watching. I wanted that kind of expression.”

The Fiesta pin, which is an aerial view of a local folklórico dancer, her skirts lifting up as she delicately spins, also takes inspiration from one of Olenberger’s photos of a Fiesta Pequeña rehearsal.

“When you’re a photographer you get special access to a lot of places, like on the street for the parades, and most notably, the roof of the Mission!” laughed Olenberger.

Keeping with his love of photography,

“I’ve been capturing the spirit for all these years with my camera, and other people can capture the spirit with their cameras,” shared Olenberger. “But it also means capture the magic of the season.”

Grateful for the opportunity to recognize long-time Fiesta supporters, Olenberger named Marta Holsman Babson and Henrietta Holsman Fore as the 2025 Fiesta parade Grand Marshals. Born and raised in the area, the sisters have made their mark on dozens of Fiesta celebrations, from Babson dancing as the 1965 Spirit of Fiesta to most recently sponsoring a show-stopping rose covered float in the 2024 parade. He has also named as Honorary Directors Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Bernie Taupin and his wife, Heather, who are parents to last year’s Spirit of Fiesta, Georgey Taupin. Additional Honorary Directors include longtime Fiesta volunteer and Wakefield 805 Radio host Drew Wakefield as well as Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center owner Gary Simpson and his partner Jill Nida. Olenberger’s wife, Gretchen, is Honorary Fiesta Presidente.

While Fiesta Pequeña will always hold a special place in Olenberger’s heart, as El Presidente he especially cannot wait to ride in a carriage, waving alongside his wife, in El Desfile Histórico. They will be joined by Olenberger’s sister and her husband, as well as a separate wagon for the children and grandchildren.

“I always enjoy photographing the parade, but this year, I think my favorite part will be sitting in a carriage with Gretchen,” he related.

Fiesta’s first family, the Olenbergers in 2022, many of whom will be in the parade

El Presidente Fritz Olenberger with Gretchen Olenberger

Photos by Alejandro Navarro

Photo courtesy of Fritz Olenberger

Anticipation & Artistry The Pre-Fiesta Tea

By Daisy Scott / VOICE

FLAMENCO, MUSIC, AND SHOUTS OF “VIVA LA FIESTA” brought Casa de la Guerra to life with the energy of Fiestas past and present when Native Daughters of the Golden West, Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126 held its annual Pre-Fiesta Tea on July 13th.

“The theme this year is ‘Capture the Spirit.’ Gretchen and I have attended every one of these teas for the past ten years, and I can truly say that this event captures the spirit!” shared Fiesta El Presidente Fritz Olenberger from the podium.

An Old Spanish Days tradition since 1927, the Pre-Fiesta Tea not only builds anticipation for the summer’s approaching celebrations, but recognizes Parlor members’ ties to local history. Thea Palencia, who served as the afternoon’s mistress of ceremonies, asked descendants of presidio families to stand.

Barbara for the 2025 Old Spanish Days.

After a blessing from Father Larry Gosselin of Old Mission Santa Barbara, the tea launched into a lively program of song and dance that celebrated the phenomenal talent that makes up Santa Barbara’s community.

Julie Romero Hathaway, 2025 St. Barbara

Spirit of Fiesta Natalia Treviño enchanted attendees with an impassioned flamenco performance. Junior Spirit of Fiesta Victoria Plascencia also displayed lively flamenco skills, smiling as she danced before the busy courtyard of Casa de la Guerra.

The assembled crowd also boasted 19 local women who portrayed Saint Barbara for past Fiestas, as well as numerous past Spirits of Fiesta. Palencia formally introduced Julie Romero Hathaway, an eighth generation Californian and the Parlor member chosen to represent Saint

Vocalist

Jonathan Jasso’s angelic voice attracted many passersby to slow and observe the festivities from the street. They lingered, clapping as Baile de California emerged in bright, swirling skirts to perform an early California style dance.

Internationally-acclaimed flamenco dancer Timo Nuñez and members of the Garcia Dance Studio performed the afternoon’s grand finale, moving with hypnotic, fluid energy.

ONE WORD CAPTURES THE SOUL OF FIESTA for Julie Romero Hathaway: legacy. Selected by Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West to portray our city’s patron saint during this summer’s festivities, Hathaway is exhilarated to take on the same role that united her parents.

“I feel so honored, surprised, and happy to feel my roots and spread the joys of this tradition,” shared Julie.

Julie’s mother, Margaret Jeanne Harp Romero, portrayed Saint Barbara for the 1946 Old Spanish Days. Just 19 years old at the time, Margaret was set up on a blind date for the Fiesta Rodeo. One year later, she married Julie’s father, Steve, at Mission Santa Barbara.

floats for El Desfile Histórico.

But Julie’s favorite memories have been towing floats alongside her husband, Dean, in their 1946 Willys Jeep. As she steps away from behind-the-scenes work, she anticipates connecting with the community.

“Of course Fiesta Pequeña will be very special, but I think I’m most looking forward to the parade,” she related.

Julie currently serves as financial secretary for Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126, of which she has been a member for the past three years. A new grandmother, she shared that legacy has become all the more important to her as she looks towards preserving history for her grandson. She encourages Fiesta attendees to honor their heritage.

Raised in Carpinteria, Julie served for over 20 years as Food Service Manager for Carpinteria Unified School District. She has previously decorated wagons and

“Everyone has roots, and to really dive into that and find out where you came from is really important; to know who you are and to feel it,” she related.

Meet Victoria Plascencia, Junior Spirit of Fiesta

By Daisy Scott / VOICE

JOYFULLY TWIRLING HER SKIRTS and smiling over her shoulder through all of her mesmerizing pre-Fiesta performances, Victoria Plascencia has cherished sharing her love for flamenco and our community by dancing as Old Spanish Days’ 2025 Junior Spirit of Fiesta.

“I can’t wait to give everyone this passion of mine,” shared Victoria. “I can’t wait to be there and have a big smile and just have the best time, ever, of my life.”

An incoming fifth grader at Oak Valley Elementary School in Buellton, ten-yearold Victoria has only grown more excited as Fiesta Pequeña draws near.

“I’ve always, since I was a little kid, I went to the mission and saw someone wearing a pretty white dress with a dance,” said Victoria. “And I’m like, I want to be up there one day! And I’m just speechless that I won; I can’t even explain it, it’s too good.”

Fiesta is a beloved family tradition for Victoria. She grew inspired to pursue flamenco herself when she was six years old after admiring her family friend, Bella, dancing. Captivated by the performance’s beauty, she shortly began taking lessons.

“Then I just fell in love with it,” she said.

When it comes to performing, Victoria especially loves the connection she feels with audiences and sparking happiness through her dance.

“I love watching them look at me because they smile and I smile back, and that just makes me feel like that’s my happy place,” shared Victoria. “Whenever they smile I see it and then my heart grows bigger and bigger—I just love it a lot.”

Victoria dances with Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco, a local studio under the direction of internationally-renowned dancer Timo Nuñez. In addition to enjoying the friendships she has made within her studio, she has appreciated the time she has spent over the past months dancing alongside her “Sister Spirit” Natalia Treviño.

When she is not dancing flamenco, Victoria enjoys cheerleading and playing soccer with the Santa Barbara Soccer Club. She also enjoys expressing her creativity through another means: making slime. This Fiesta, she will be selling her slime alongside her tía, who will operate a cascarón stand through the festivities.

Yet the Fiesta event Victoria is most looking forward to remains, of course, Fiesta Pequeña. There, with her family cheering her on from the crowd, she will finally achieve her dream of wearing a white dress and dancing on the steps of Old Mission Santa Barbara to begin Old Spanish Days.

“Everyone’s dream is to be on the mission,” exclaimed Victoria. “No little girls get to dance there, you have to be thirteen or older, so it’s a dream come true!”

Junior Spirit of Fiesta Victoria Plascencia

Photo by Alejandro Navarro

A reunion of past and present Saint Barbaras gathered at the 2025 Pre-Fiesta Tea

Julie Romero Hathaway

Father Larry Gosselin, Thea Palencia, Father Jack Clark Robinson, and Jonathan Jasso

Photo by Priscilla, 805city@gmail.com

Photo by Daisy Scott

Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days – Fiesta Los Presidentes 1925 –

1975 Michael H. Pahos

City of SB Fire Department Celebrates CERT Program Graduation

THE TEEN COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM has announced the graduation of 21 students. The City of Santa Barbara Fire Department trained the latest class, which represented local high schools throughout Santa Barbara. The students completed intensive, hands-on training in disaster preparedness and emergency response, becoming the newest generation of community response leaders.

The graduation ceremony took place on July 17th at Santa Barbara City Fire Station 1, honoring the students’ achievements and highlighted the value of youth engagement in public safety.

Teen CERT is a nationally recognized program that teaches high school students how to safely respond to emergencies before professional responders arrive. Over the course of the program, students learned essential skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, first aid, disaster psychology, and team organization. The training culminated in a full-scale disaster simulation, allowing students to apply what they learned in a real-world scenario.

“These students have demonstrated a deep sense of civic responsibility and an eagerness to serve their community,” said Liliana Encinas, Public Education & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Santa Barbara. “We are incredibly proud of their commitment to preparedness and their ability to rise as leaders in times of need.”

One of this year’s graduating students, MJ Aguilar, shared, “I love coming back to Teen CERT every summer. Every time I learn something new, but what’s really special

is that now I get to help teach it to others. It feels amazing to give back and support my peers as they go through the same training I once did.”

The City of Santa Barbara Fire Department Office of Emergency Services partnered with UC Santa Barbara, the American Red Cross, Foodbank of Santa Barbara, and United Way of Santa Barbara to provide the best experience to the participants. Programs like Teen CERT empower our youth with life-saving knowledge and help create stronger, safer communities.

For more information about CERT and how to get involved, visit: https://santabarbaraca.gov/government/departments/fire-department/office-emergency-services

Library Foundation Names 2025-2026 Board of Directors

ANNOUNCING THE LEADERSHIP TEAM and the 2025-26 Board of Directors, the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation has kicked off their new fiscal year.

The leadership team includes: Co-Presidents Raissa Smorol and Anna Alldredge; Vice President Anne Howard; Secretary Peter Ginsberg; and Treasurer Brooke McDermott.

The Foundation welcomed returning board member Anne Howard and also honored the contribution of three outgoing board members: Susan Case, Alan Brumberger, and Irene Kelly. sblibraryfoundation.org

Thore Edgren Celebrates 95th Birthday

AT A RECEPTION THAT INCLUDED A CAKE WITH 95 LIT CANDLES, Thore Edgren celebrated his 95th birthday with family and friends at the Timbers Restaurant in Goleta last Sunday, July 20th.

“It is wonderful to be here and enjoying this moment with all of you,” commented Edgren, currently an artist and photographer.

Previously, Edgren was an architect at the UCSB Facilities Department, where he was the project architect on the Storke Tower. He convinced the building committee to raise the height of the tower by 30 feet and thus it became the tallest building in Santa Barbara County and the iconic symbol of the university.

Foodbank Names New Board Chair

DAVID BISHOP has been appointed by the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County to serve as Chair of its Board of Trustees. Bishop brings a distinguished record of leadership, having guided multi-billion-dollar organizations through periods of growth, innovation, and transformation. His expertise includes leading global operations at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment. In addition to his corporate leadership, Bishop has long championed hunger relief efforts. He is a former chair and current board member of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and served on the End Hunger Network board, where he and actor Jeff Bridges cocreated a campaign that raised $20 million to fight hunger. www.foodbanksbc.org

PBS SoCal Launches Local Broadcast Stations to Enhance Content & Quality

TWO LOCAL BROADCAST STATIONS IN THE SANTA BARBARA REGION — Channel 26 and Channel 50 — were launched over this past weekend by PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization. The move improves viewing experiences as the change in service to the region, from one to two stations, results in better reception and a clearer picture of PBS SoCal content while expanding the channel’s reach. The relaunch also inclues seven PBS SoCal subchannels, giving viewers more viewing opportunities.

The subchannels inlcude: PBS SoCal (channel 26.1 and 50.1); PBS SoCal Plus (26.2 and 50.2); PBS KIDS (26.3 and 50.3); PBS Encore (26.4 and 50.4); NHK World-Japan (26.5 and 50.5); WORLD (26.6 and 50.6); and Create (26.7 and 50.7).

The new stations and channels will serve the areas of Lompoc, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria and Ventura. All those viewers who use satellite or cable services in the area to watch PBS SoCal programming will be unaffected. Streaming services are available at pbssocal.org and on the PBS App.

To access all of the new content options, viewers will need to rescan their TV. A channel scan is a way to update channel information stored in the receiver of your television. The rescan process takes about five to 15 minutes. Over-the-air viewers will need to follow the steps on pbssocal.org/rescan for help.

For more information, follow PBS SoCal on social media at @pbssocal

David Bishop

Thore Edgren blows out his 95 candles

Photo by Mark Whitehurst

Community News

Goleta City Council Allocates $100,000 to Support Immigrant Community

HOT ON THE HEELS OF INCREASED ICE AGENT ACTIVITY, including the July 10th raids in Carpinteria and Camarillo that detained over 300 Central Coast residents, the Goleta City Council voted in a special meeting on Monday, July 21st to allocate $100,000 in funds to be distributed among nonprofits supporting immigrants and their families.

The council also voted to adopt a resolution that calls upon the region’s Congressional representatives to advocate for immigrants who are members of the Goleta community.

“While President Trump has promised that federal immigration enforcement would focus on targeting criminals, the City of Goleta has heard stories of racial profiling, arresting people without criminal records, and uneven enforcement,” reads the council’s resolution.

Dozens of community members voiced their support for the immigrant community and called for action to be taken over the course of four hours of public comment.

“Now more than ever local leaders need to rise up and lead with bold conviction,” stated Julissa Peña, Executive Director of the SB County Immigrant Legal Defense Center. “We urgently need to figure out tangible ways to support immigrant serving organizations who are on the front lines and to establish pathways for providing legal defense to community members caught in the grip of ICE enforcement.”

$100,000 will be awarded to nonprofits providing direct aid to community members impacted by ICE raids, including legal defense, mental health services, and basic needs services.

Goleta’s decision arrives after both the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Barbara City

Cliff Drive Vision Zero Project to Take Next Steps at City Council Meeting

THE EFFORT TO REDESIGN CLIFF DRIVE, one of Santa Barbara’s major coastal roads, will take its next step as the Cliff Drive Vision Zero Project has been added to the upcoming July 29th Santa Barbara City Council consent agenda. The item will be an Environmental Determination for the project to file Notice of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.

With construction expected to begin in 2027, the Cliff Drive Vision Zero Project plans to prioritize mobility for pedestrians and cyclists by adding a new, three miles long separated path spanning from Arroyo Burro County Park to Castillo St.

Additional proposed changes include removing traffic lanes and widening the sidewalks along select stretches of Cliff Drive. The project also calls for adding 14 new crosswalks and four new traffic signals, as well as improving crosswalk safety via curb extensions and visibility crosswalk markings.

The council’s decision on Tuesday will allow the project to enter its next phases of right-of-way and final design. This move will enable the project to receive the next portion of its grant funding from the California Transportation Commission, which totals to $27 million for design and construction. The City of Santa Barbara holds a 20 percent match obligation for the funds.

The city’s most recent public community meetings regarding the project were held on June 4th and 5th. Meeting recordings are available on the project website. Visit https://santabarbaraca.gov/projects/cliff-drive-vision-zero-project

Cory Booker Visits Santa Barbara

US SENATOR CORY BOOKER addressed Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County on Sunday, July 20th at the Santa Barbara Club. The event was the 55th annual fundraiser for the Democratic Women, which raised about $100,000.

“At 56, Booker is the senior U.S. Senator from New Jersey, and is seeking a new six-year term in 2026 for the seat he has held since 2013. He ran a failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 against Joe Biden, but is forecast to run again in 2028, one of a large number of elected party officials included on early lists of contenders,” according to a report written by Jerry Roberts

Council, and the Carpinteria City Council hosted emergency meetings over the past week and a half. Both the County Supervisors and the City of Carpinteria have also allocated funds amounting to $345,000 and $10,000, respectively, to local nonprofits providing critical support.

Additional actions taken by the Goleta City Council included directing city staff to file Freedom of Information Act requests to the federal government in order to obtain access to ICE records on raids conducted within Goleta. City staff will also gather information on the ongoing American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) lawsuits brought against the federal government to consider if Goleta will formally support the litigation.

“We all learned a lot that will help us as we move forward,” said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte. “Tonight is just the beginning. I know we can and will do more. We need

Carpinteria

to stay engaged and keep working together.”

To view the recorded City Council meeting or learn more about available resources visit www.cityofgoleta.org

Children’s Project Opens

Fund to Assist Families Affected by ICE Sweeps

CARPINTERIA CHILDREN’S PROJECT RECENTLY CREATED A “HELPING HANDS FUND” which will donate 100 percent of its assets to help families impacted by immigration sweeps. CCP seeks to raise $100,000 to provide impacted families with food, clothing, housing assistance, mental health services, and other essentials.

“With the help of donors, we hope to begin to restore the peace that has been stolen from so many families,” said CCP Board President Michelle Perry.

Other Carpinteria organizations, including Girls Inc. of Carpinteria and Carpinteria Boys and Girls Club, coordinate with CCP and refer impacted families so that they can get the help they need. The organizations also refer those looking to volunteer to CCP.

The City of Carpinteria has made $10,000 available to aid families through nonprofit partners, but CCP says that the identified need for families is higher.

“Carpinteria families are hurting. We have witnessed inhumane treatment in our community that leaves children without caretakers and responsibly employed residents unable to support their families,” said CCP Executive Director Teresa Alvarez. Tax-deductible donations to the fund can be made at carpchildren.org/donate, select “Family Resource Center” under “additional information.”

Madison Whitmore Prosecutor of the Year

SENIOR DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MADISON WHITMORE has been selected as Prosecutor of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) TriCounties. Whitmore was honored for her commitments to holding impaired drivers accountable and to protecting the public. She is widely regarded as the District Attorney’s Office’s leading expert on DUI fatalities in Northern Santa Barbara County. In addition to her courtroom work, she mentors fellow prosecutors and plays a key role in improving DUI case handling. She is currently prosecuting several DUI-related murder cases and continues to fight to ensure justice for victims.

in his Newsmakers blog.

Photo courtesy of Jerry Roberts

Dozens of community members spoke in support of the immigrant community. This attendee’s shirt read “Good Trouble in the Goodland,” a reference to activist and Representative John Lewis

Photo courtesy of City of Goleta

Madison Whitmore

On the Street with John Palminteri

Beached Sailboat

Nancy Lusk

Photo

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ARE REPORTED to be the issue that led to this sailboat crashing at Carpinteria State Beach Tuesday night. One person was assisted by the CarpinteriaSummerland Fire Dept. water rescue crew, a lifeguard, and the U.S. Coast Guard with a helicopter. The vessel is beached but is expected to be safely hauled out within a day.

Happy Birthday El Presidente!

A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY CAKE with the Old Spanish Days 2025 poster image on it was presented to El Presidente Fritz Olenberger at a special celebration Saturday night. The festive event was held at the El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and hosted by Teresa Kuskey, Rick Oshay, and the La Boheme Dance Group. Old Spanish Days began in 1924 and takes place July 30th to August 3rd.

Signs of Change

UNAPPROVED SIGNS COULD BE PULLED AND HELD for up to 90 days in Santa Barbara to control issues especially where they block pedestrian walkways. They also create a hazard for those who are visually or mobility challenged. Some are in unapproved locations but owners say they are vital for businesses to succeed.

The Colors of Fiesta Begin to Appear

SANTA BARBARA COMES ALIVE WITH A FESTIVE LOOK for its annual Old Spanish Days beginning July 30th. It dates back to 1924 with live shows around the city, a traditional horse parade and homemade food. Many businesses and neighborhoods are adding decorations, lighting, and the sale of pins and posters has begun.

Planes Grounded, 911 Out

MANY PLANES WERE GROUNDED OR DELAYED Tuesday afternoon by a power and communication issue at towers including Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. It is being investigated. Santa Barbara also had a 911 system failure earlier. Skies are quiet.

The Power Was Out Downtown

POWER IS BACK ON AFTER 6000 CUSTOMERS WERE IN THE DARK Saturday night in downtown Santa Barbara and the westside. Edison emergency crews responded. The cause was not revealed. Restaurants with full tables had to quickly react. Thousands of dollars in business was lost. Signal lights were out and in many cases drivers were going straight through without stopping.

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

Photos and Stories by John Palminteri, Special to VOICE

AYEAR-ROUND

RESIDENT we enjoy in our backyard gardens, the Black Phoebe also favors wetlands and open spaces where their insect prey is abundant. Flies, wasps, bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and beetles are all on the menu. Like most flycatchers, Black Phoebes hawk their prey by watching silently from a perch, and then sallying out to capture insects in midair, returning to the perch to consume the good bits—

dragonfly wings and pesky stingers are usually removed. When observing these handsome flycatchers, listen closely for the bill snap as they hunt, providing free insect control in your backyard.

White Horse #80 2025, acrylic on canvas; by Katie Upton

Photos by Sue Cook

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

Santa Barbara Historical Museum Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara News-Press Edition

In good Fiesta fashion, a celebration was held to open a new exhibition documenting the importance of print media for Old Spanish Days, fostering pride in our community and history

SBy Isaac Hernández de Lipa / VOICE

ANTA BARBARANS WERE PULLING

OUT THEIR FIESTA GARB for the opening celebration for Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara News-Press Edition at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum where they enjoyed tacos, tequila, and dancing in the museum’s romantic courtyard. Mariachi Las Olas welcomed guests at the entrance, while Mezcal Martini was jamming their hot Latin jazz rhythms inside, with tacos and tequila flowing.

The evening included passionate performances by the 2025 Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta, Natalia Treviño and Victoria Plascencia respectively, and by young dancers from several local flamenco studios, along with guitarist Andres Vadin. The evening was completed with DJ Adam who kept people on the dance floor until late.

In between drinks and dances, guests enjoyed the exhibition winding down memory lane, with newspaper covers and clippings published between 1924 and 1937 from not just the Santa Barbara News-Press but also its predecessors,

the Daily News and the Morning Press which merged to form the News-Press

The exhibition is just the tip of the iceberg of the News-Press archives acquired by the museum last year, including a giant 1928 Daily News Fiesta Edition. It took hundreds of hours to comb through, clean, and digitize the over a thousand images included in the exhibit. The rest of the collection is in the Museum’s Gledhill Research Library, where it will continue to be organized and catalogued, as this is only the first of possibly many News-Press exhibits.

Besides photographs (projected and printed), clippings, and an interactive exhibit of the archives, you can find the old Underwood typewriter that Pulitzer Prize winner and News-Press Publisher Thomas Storke used to write his stories, and other precious materials from the newspapers’s long history.

“The decision to purchase the archive of the News-Press was easy — this is the collective memory of our community. Through the support of our trustees, the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, and numerous stakeholders, we were able to save this incredible resource for future generations,” said Dacia Harwood, Executive Director of the museum, to VOICE

Las Noches de Ronda, 1964

Fiesta, 1957

El Desfile Histórico, 1961

Photos by Isaac Hernández de Lipa

“It’s so special to see the materials preserved and accessible to our community again,” added Emily Alessio, Director of Education and leader of the internship program that scanned over a thousand images.

On a wall you can find a collection of covers of Fiesta Editions by the three newspapers. The original Fiesta Editions, sold separately from the paper, were high-quality, glossy magazines that advertised not only Fiesta, but the beautiful homes and gardens in Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara, and Montecito. They served as great publicity for the city.

“Starting in the late 1950s the News-Press Fiesta Editions took on a more educational and informative purpose,” explained historian Neal Graffy on an exhibition panel. “They were printed on the Sunday before the opening of Fiesta and included as a special supplement to the paper. There were five to eight separate sections containing articles on Santa Barbara history, trivia, old photographs; Fiesta parade photos from previous years, and lots of advertising. The only negative side for a former paperboy like me… each paper weighed two pounds… a News-Press carrier’s nightmare!”

A 1953 lithograph of The Dancing Couple makes a guest appearance from last year’s Fiesta posters exhibit. This design, created by Olive Smith and her husband Richard Smith, who served as the Santa Barbara News-Press promotions manager, resident artist, and reporter, debuted in 1953 and made repeat appearances on Fiesta posters in the following decades. Copies of the poster, donated by the 1953 El Presidente, newspaper editor Charles A. Storke, were sold by Old Spanish Days Fiesta, who had their offices at 715 Santa Barbara Street, which is now the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

The eight different projectors show photographs with different themes, including La Fiesta Pequeña, Las Noches de Ronda, El Desfile Histórico and La Cabalgata, the Children’s Parade, the Fiesta Stock Horse Show, and the fantastic presentation of Spirits, Jr. Spirits, Saint Barbaras, and many Presidentes / Presidentas.

The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Erin Graffy de Garcia, accomplished author, historian and popular speaker who wrote numerous articles for local magazines and newspapers, including the Santa Barbara News-Press, and who also served as historian of Old Spanish Days Fiesta for decades.

Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara News-Press Edition runs until September 28th and is free to the public. sbhistorical.org

La Fiesta Pequeña, 1982, Photo by Raphael Maldonado

El Desfile de los Niños, 1954, News-Press Photo

El Mercado De La Guerra, 1979,

Photo by Steve Malone

Grupo Folklórico Quetzecoatl

Maria Elena and Al Sandoval with SBHM Director Dacia Harwood

2022 La Presidenta Maria Cabrera and Franscico Cabrera

Past Saint Barbaras: Lisa Osborn, Mary Louise Days, El Presidente Fritz Olenberger, 2025 Saint Barbara Julie Ramero Hathaway, Gretchen Olenberger, Lynn Kirst, and Diana Repogle

Museum Trustee and 2017 La Presidenta Rhonda Henderson with 2025 El Presidente Fritz Olenberger

Dana Jordan, Councilmember Mike Jordan, and former Mayor Helene Schneider

2025 Spirit of Fiesta Natalia Treviño

Photo by Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Photo by Mark Whitehurst

Photo by Kerry Methner

Photo by Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Old Spanish Days 2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

¡Capture the Spirit!

PRE-FIESTA EVENTS

Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara NewsPress Edition • Celebrating the preservation of the Santa Barbara News-Press archive by the Museum SB Historical Museum • Free • Ongoing. Una Fiesta en los Adobes • SBHM fundraiser • SBHistorical.org • Sold Out. 7/25. Fiesta en la Casa • Spanish music, dance, and history • Casa del Herrero • $275 • casadelherrero.com • 4-7:30pm Sa, 7/26.

La Recepción del Presidente • Fiesta kick-off celebration • Hope Ranch Estate • $150 • sbfiesta.org • 5-10pm Su, 7/27.

WED, JULY 30TH

Courthouse Fiesta Tours • Free, one-hour docent led tours • SB Courthouse • Tours each hour, 10:30am-3:30pm We, 7/30, through Su, 8/3.

El Mercado De La Guerra • Authentic food, shopping, & live music • De la Guerra Plaza • 11am-10pm We, 7/30 through Sa, 8/2.

Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara NewsPress Edition • Celebrating the preservation of the Santa Barbara News-Press archive by the Museum SB Historical Museum • Free • Ongoing.

La Fiesta Pequeña • Fiesta’s opening ceremonies with traditional song and dance performances • Old Mission Santa Barbara • Free • 8-10pm We, 7/30.

THURSDAY, JULY 31ST

La Misa del Presidente • Catholic mass & Sacred Garden reception, all are welcome • Old Mission Santa Barbara • 10am-12pm Th, 7/31.

Courthouse Fiesta Tours • Free, one-hour docent led tours • SB Courthouse • Tours each hour, 10:30am-3:30pm We, 7/30, through Su, 8/3.

Old Mission SB Tours • Tours each hour, Th, 7/31, through Su, 8/4.

El Mercado De La Guerra • Authentic food, shopping, & live music • De la Guerra Plaza • 11am-10pm We, 7/30 through Sa, 8/2.

Tarde de Ronda • Traditional dancing and music, featuring performances by dancers under age 13 • SB Courthouse Sunken Garden • 1-5pm Sa, 7/31.

Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara NewsPress Edition • Celebrating the preservation of the Santa Barbara News-Press archive by the Museum SB Historical Museum • Free • Ongoing.

DIGS! (Celebratión de los Dignatarios) • Fiesta’s wildest party • 500 Ninos Dr. • $135-$185 • sbzoo.org , ages 21+ • SB Zoo • 5-10pm Th, 7/31.

Las Noches de Ronda • 200+ performers offering song, flamenco, folklórico, and more • SB Courthouse Sunken Garden • Free • 8-10pm Th, 7/31 through Sa, 8/2.

Fiesta Soup Social • Benefit Organic Soup Kitchen’s Cancer Recovery Program and Medically Tailored Meal Program • 126 E Haley St. • $35 • www.organicsoupkitchen.org • 4pm, Thur, 7/31.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST

El Desfile Histórico (The historic parade) • Equestrian parade with historic carriages, dancing, and fun • Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chaves • 122pm Fr, 8/1.

El Mercado De La Guerra • Authentic food, shopping, & live music • De la Guerra Plaza • 11am-10pm We, 7/30 through Sa, 8/2. Courthouse Fiesta Tours • Free, one-hour docent led tours • SB Courthouse • Tours each hour, 10:30am-3:30pm We, 7/30, through Su, 8/3. Old Mission SB Tours • Tours each hour, Th, 7/31, through Su, 8/4.

Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo • Roping, Penning, & Jr. Events • Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center • https://sbfiestarodeo.org • Food & Drink for purchase • 9am-1pm Fr, 8/1; Sat 9-5:30pm; 9am Su, 8/3.

Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara NewsPress Edition • Celebrating the preservation of the Santa Barbara News-Press archive by the Museum SB Historical Museum • Free • Ongoing. Flor y Canto • 19th century Spanish California dances & songs • SB Courthouse Sunken Garden • Free • 7-8pm Fr, 8/1.

Las Noches de Ronda • 200+ performers offering song, flamenco, folklórico, and more • SB Courthouse Sunken Garden • Free • 8-10pm Th, 7/31 through Sa, 8/2.

All-Day-Bar at La Paloma Cafe • Celebrate Old Spanish Days’ 101st anniversary • 702 Anacapa St. • $105 • www.lapalomasb.com • 11:30am, Fri, 8/1.

Noches de Ronda: Romantic flamenco, bright swirling skirts, and fast-paced folk dances will cast magical shadows against the Santa Barbara Courthouse at Noches de Ronda (Nights of Gaiety), taking place from 8 to 10pm on Thursday, July 31st through Saturday, August 2nd. All are invited to bring blankets, chairs, and picnics to enjoy free performances at the SB Courthouse Sunken Garden.

El Desfile de los Niños: Celebrate youth performers, local families, and children’s clubs dressed in their best Fiesta regalia at El Desfile de los Niños (the Children’s Parade) along Cabrillo Boulevard from Garden Street to Puerta Vallarta at 10am on Saturday, August 2nd.

Photo

a F i e sta!

El Desfile Histórico: Cheer on the Spirit of Fiesta

Natalia Treviño as she leads hundreds of horses, historic carriages, and flamenco dancers along Cabrillo Boulevard for El Desfile Histórico (the Historical Parade) at 12pm on Friday, August 1st. This annual tradition is one of the nation’s largest equestrian parades.

The parade will begins at West end of Cabrillo Blvd at Castillo and procedes to Calle Cesar Chavez. Reserved seating is available for purchase, visit sbfiesta.org

All-Day-Bar at Loquita • Celebrate Old Spanish Days’ 101st anniversary • 202 State St. • $105 • www.loquitasb.com • 11am-2:30pm, Fri, 8/1.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2ND

Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show • Shop local vendors & artists for handmade crafts & art • Cabrillo Blvd • 10am-6pm Sa, 8/2.

El Desfile de los Niños • Children and families in Fiesta regalia create a colorful parade • Cabrillo Boulevard from Garden Street to Calle Puerto Vallarta • 10am Sa, 8/3.

Trade de Ronda • Afternoon of Gaiety -Performers all under the age of 13 offering song, flamenco, folklórico, and more! • SB Courthouse Sunken Garden • Free • 1-5pm Sa, 8/2.

Courthouse Fiesta Tours • Free, one-hour docent led tours • SB Courthouse • Tours each hour, 10:30am-3:30pm We, 7/30, through Su, 8/3.

Old Mission SB Tours • Tours each hour, Th, 7/31, through Su, 8/4.

Mujeres Makers Market • Shop womenowned businesses • El Presidio • 10am-4pm Sa & Sun, 8/2 & 3.

Covered, curbside accessible seating will be available for wheelchair users to view both Old Spanish Day parades taking place over the weekend. Seating for El Desfile Histórico on Friday, August 1st will be located to the right of the Los Baños Pool. Additional temporary handicap parking is located in the harbor lot behind the pool. There will also be a temporary van drop-off site and ADA bathrooms on-site. Accessible seating for the Children’s Parade on Saturday, August 2nd will be located in front of the Palm Park Beach House on Cabrillo and Garden Streets, with additional temporary handicap parking in the Beach House lot and ADA bathrooms on-site.

Los Mercados Return for Food and Fun: A favorite among locals and visitors alike, los Mercados provide the best opportunity to savor authentic Mexican dishes while enjoying live music. Vendors supporting local nonprofits, along with dancing and music will pop up at El Mercado De La Guerra from 11am to 10pm, Wednesday, July 30th through Saturday, August 2nd in De La Guerra Plaza.

The popular Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado, with its famous homemade tamales and a program of live music, will also return to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at 227 N. Nopal Street. A benefit for the church, the mercado will be open from 11am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday, August 2nd and 3rd.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado • Tamales, live music, and raffles • Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 227 N. Nopal St. • Free • 11am9pm Sa & Sun 8/2&3.

El Mercado De La Guerra • Authentic food, shopping, & live music • De la Guerra Plaza • 11am-10pm We, 7/30 through Sa, 8/3.

Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara NewsPress Edition • Celebrating the preservation of the Santa Barbara News-Press archive by the Museum SB Historical Museum • Free • Ongoing.

Las Noches de Ronda • 200+ performers offering song, flamenco, folklórico, and more • SB Courthouse Sunken Garden • Free • 8-10pm Th, 7/31 through Sa, 8/2.

Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival • Mariachi Herencia De Mexico, Mariachi Femenil Nuevo Tecalitlan and friends • SB Bowl • $95$200 • sbbowl.com • 5pm, Sat, 8/2.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3RD

Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show • Shop local vendors & artists for handmade crafts & art • Cabrillo Blvd • 10am-5pm Su, 8/3.

Mujeres Makers Market • Shop womenowned businesses • El Presidio • 10am-4pm Sa & Sun, 8/2 & 3.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado • Tamales, live music, and raffles • Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 227 N. Nopal St. • Free • 11am9pm Sa & Sun 8/2&3.

Project Fiesta! Santa Barbara NewsPress Edition • Celebrating the preservation of the Santa Barbara News-Press archive by the Museum SB Historical Museum • Free • Ongoing. Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo • Roping, Penning, & Jr. Events • Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center • https://sbfiestarodeo.org • Food & Drink for purchase • 9am-1pm Fr, 8/1; Sat 9-5:30pm; 9am Su, 8/3.

Fiesta Finale 2025 • blend of tango, ballet, opera and flamenco benefitting The Profant Fdn • El Paseo Restaurant • $300 • www. ProfantFoundation.org • 5:30-10pm, Sun, 8/3.

2025 Grand Marshals: Henrietta Fore and Marta Babson

Photo by Fritz Olenberger

Photo courtesy of Old Spanish Days

Photo courtesy of OSD

Photo by

A wonderful weekend of Music, Dance, Food and Fiesta! OLD SPANISH DAYS FIESTA 2025 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE*

Mercado De La Guerra

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

10:30–11:00 Ribbon Cutting/Opening Ceremony

DANCERS

11:00–11:15 Spirits Of Fiesta

11:15–12:00 Garcia Dance Studio

12:00–12:30 Alma De Mexico De Santa Bárbara

12:30–1:15 Puro Flamenco

1:15–1:45 Cruz Dance & Entertainment

1:45–2:30 Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco

2:30–3:15 Zermeño Dance Academy (Live Musicians)

3:15–3:45 Contreras Flamenco Arts

3:45–4:15 Ballet Folklorico Patria Mexicana BANDS

4:30–5:00 Natalie & Anthony

5:30–6:40 Logan Livermore And The 154

7:00–8:10 Heart & Soul

8:40–10:00 Double Wide Kings

Thursday, July 31, 2025

DANCERS

11:00–11:30 Grupo Folklórico De West Los Angeles

11:30–12:00 Puro Flamenco

12:00–12:30 Alma De Mexico De Santa Barbara

12:30–1:15 Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco

1:15–2:00 Zermeño Dance Academy

2:00–2:30 Break

2:30–3:15 Contreras Flamenco Arts (Live Musicians)

3:15–3:30 Ballet Folklórico Patria Mexicana

3:30–4:15 Zermeño Dance Academy (Live Musicians) BANDS

4:30–5:00 Luna Aguilera

5:30–6:40 Grupo Radiante De Fausto Cruz

7:00–8:10 Banda La Preferida De California

8:40–10:00 Banda La Venenosa

Friday, August 1, 2025

DANCERS

11:00–11:30 Avellana Dance Studio

11:30–11:45 Baile De California

11:45–12:30 Garcia Dance Studio

12:30–1:00 Cruz Dance & Entertainment

1:00–1:30 Alma De Mexico De Santa Barbara

1:30–1:45 Ballet Folklórico Patria Mexicana

1:45–2:15 Break

2:15–3:00 Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco

3:00–3:45 Flamenco Santa Barbara (Live Musicians) 3:45–4:15 Grupo Folklórico De West Los Angeles BANDS

4:30–5:00 Trixico

5:30–6:40 Banda Santa Elena

7:00–8:10 Mezcal Martini

8:40–10:00 False Puppet

Saturday, August 2, 2025

DANCERS

11:00–11:30 Ballet Folklórico Patria Mexicana

11:30–12:00 Puro Flamenco

12:00–12:15 Avellana Dance Studio

12:15–12:45 Contreras Flamenco Arts (Live Musicians) 12:45–1:15 Alma De Mexico De Santa Barbara

1:15–2:00 Zermeño Dance Academy (Live Musicians)

2:00–2:45 Garcia Dance Studio

Casa De La Guerra

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

DANCERS

11:00–11:30 Contreras Flamenco Arts

11:30–12:00 Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco

12:00–12:30 Zermeño Dance Academy

12:30–1:00 Break

1:00–1:30 Avellana Dance Studio

1:30–2:00 Alma De Mexico De Santa Barbara

BANDS

2:15–3:00 Brayell

3:15–4:00 Juan D Mendoza

4:30–5:15 Los Parientes

5:45–6:30 Equipo Elite

Thursday, July 31, 2025

DANCERS

11:00–11:30 Cruz Dance & Entertainment

11:30–12:00 Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco

12:00–12:30 Sahagun Dance

12:30–1:00 Contreras Flamenco Arts

1:00–1:30 Garcia Dance Studio

1:30–2:00 Cielito Lindo

BANDS

2:00–2:20 Nicky Monreal

2:20–2:50 Luna Aguilera

3:00–4:00 Juan D Mendoza

4:30–5:15 Grupo Relajo

5:45–6:30 Trixico

Friday, August 01, 2025

DANCERS

11:00–11:30 Contreras Flamenco Arts

11:30–12:00 Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco

12:00–12:30 Baile De California

12:30–1:00 Break 1:00–1:30 Puro Flamenco

1:30–2:00 Cielito Lindo

2:45–3:00 Ballet Folklorico Aztlan De CSUN

3:00–3:45 Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco

3:45–4:15 Flamenco Santa Barbara (Live Musicians) BANDS

4:30–5:00 Los Bitaches

5:30–6:40 Spencer The Gardener

7:00–8:10 Los De La Empresa 8:40–10:00 Xplosion Latina De Santa Barbara

Friday, August 01, 2025 (Continued)

BANDS

2:00–2:20 Nicky Monreal

2:30–3:00 Evelia Casillas

3:15–4:00 Natalie & Anthony 4:30–5:15 Xanthe Martinez 5:45–6:30 Excentrico

Saturday, August 2, 2025

DANCERS

11:00–11:30 Sahagun Dance

11:30–12:00 Garcia Dance Studio

12:00–12:30 Me Sabor Dance Studio

12:30–1:00 Cruz Dance & Entertainment

1:00–1:30 Grupo Folklórico Huitzilin

1:30–2:00 Xochipilli De Santa Barabara

BANDS

2:15–3:00 Equipo Elite

3:15–4:00 Los Legados De California

4:30–5:15 Los Tecknicos

5:45–6:30 Halcones Del Bajio

Viva la Fiesta! Capture e Spirit! *As of Monday, July 21, 2025. Schedule is subject to change. Visit www.sbﬁesta.org for schedule updates.

FREE AUDITION WORKSHOP FOR AREA SINGERS AUG. 13

Whether a novice or experienced singer, many people are unnerved by the prospect of an audition.

Sponsored by the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation, The Choral Society is hosting a free, community-wide audition workshop at the Arts & Culture building,1330 State Street, on August 13 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

Becca Clarke, the Assistant to the Conductor of The Choral Society, will help prepare singers to approach vocal auditions with confidence. Clarke holds a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah and a Master of Arts in Music Leadership from the Eastman School of Music. In addition to The Choral Society, she also performs with Quire of Voyces, the Santa Barbara Symphony Chorus, and is

THE CHORAL SOCIETY AUDITIONS AUG. 16

The Choral Society will hold auditions for its 202526 season on Saturday, August 16. Artistic Director/ Conductor JoAnne Wasserman will audition prospective new singers and Section Leaders, which are paid positions in each section.

Registration is required by 5 pm, Aug. 11th. Visit sbchoral.org.

Notice of 15-Day Public Comment Period for Substantial Amendment to the City of Santa Barbara’s

(HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan, part of the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

2022-2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

To All Interested Persons, Groups and Agencies

Notice of 15-Day Public Comment Period for Substantial Amendment to the City of Santa Barbara’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program –American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan, part of the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan.

The proposed changes of HOME ARP funding allocation enable the city to further its original goals of providing supportive services to qualifying populations that enable them to obtain and maintain permanent housing. Based on feedback received during the development of the Allocation Plan, the greatest priority should be given to the provision of supportive services. The City also received an additional sum of $2,777 HOME ARP dollars, which will also be allocated to supportive services.

The change in funding allocations is as follows:

The City of Santa Barbara is seeking public comment on the 2022-2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER evaluates the City’s performance on the 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan (AAP), which listed activities that would be performed during the year to achieve the performance measures outlined in the City’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan (CP). The CP is a 5year planning document which primarily determines the City’s housing and community development needs, issues, and resources. The CP helps the City determine strategies to address those identified needs using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds.

The Draft CAPER will be available online at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov on September 11th, 2023. Comments must be received by September 26th, 2023. For more information, contact the Community Development Department, Housing and Human Services Division, at (805) 564-5461 or e-mail to: HHS@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

In accordance with the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, a change in the City’s funding allocation priorities that were previously identified in the City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is considered a substantial amendment. The substantial amendment is available for public review and written comment for 15 days from July 28 to August 11, 2025. Upon the completion of the review period, the planned amendment will be submitted to City Council on August 12, 2025, for approval, then subsequently to HUD. The proposed changes of HOME ARP funding allocation enable the city to further its original goals of providing supportive services to qualifying populations that enable them to obtain and maintain permanent housing. Based on feedback received during the development of the Allocation Plan, the greatest priority should be given to the provision of supportive services. The City also received an additional sum of $2,777 HOME ARP dollars, which will also be allocated to supportive services.

The draft amendment will be available at the following locations: City Clerk’s Office - 735 Anacapa Street; Main Public Library - 40 E. Anapamu Street; and the Community Development Department - 630 Garden Street, 2nd Floor. The proposed amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan can be viewed at: www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

For additional information, contact the Community Development Office at (805) 564-5461, or by e-mail estotts@santabarbaraca.gov.

A todas las personas, grupos y agencias interesadas

AVISO PÚBLICO

Aviso del Período de Comentarios Públicos de 15 Días para una Enmienda Sustancial al Plan de Asignación del Programa de Asociaciones de Inversión HOME de la Ciudad de Santa Bárbara – Plan de Rescate Estadounidense (HOME-ARP), parte del Plan de Acción Anual 2021 de la Ciudad.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CIUDAD DE SANTA BÁRBARA

For additional information, contact the Community Development Office at (805) 564-5461, or by e-mail estotts@santabarbaraca.gov.

A todas las personas, grupos y agencias interesadas

2022-2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

De acuerdo con el Plan de Participación Ciudadana de la Ciudad, un cambio en las prioridades de asignación de fondos de la Ciudad que se identificaron previamente en el Plan de Asignación HOME-ARP de la Ciudad se considera una enmienda sustancial. La enmienda sustancial está disponible para revisión pública y comentarios por escrito durante 15 días, del 28 de julio al 11 de agosto de 2025. Una vez finalizado el período de revisión, la enmienda planificada se presentará al Concejo Municipal el 12 de agosto de 2025 para su aprobación, y luego a HUD.

To All Interested Persons, Groups and Agencies

Los cambios propuestos en la asignación de fondos de HOME ARP permiten a la ciudad avanzar en sus objetivos originales de proporcionar servicios de apoyo a las poblaciones que califican y que les permitan obtener y mantener una vivienda permanente. Sobre la base de los comentarios recibidos durante la elaboración del Plan de Asignación, se debe dar la mayor prioridad a la prestación de servicios de apoyo. La Ciudad también recibió una suma adicional de $2,777 dólares HOME ARP, que también se asignarán a servicios de apoyo.

El cambio en las asignaciones de fondos es el siguiente:

Adquisición y Desarrollo de Refugios No Colectivos

de Viviendas de Alquiler

borrador de la enmienda estará

El cambio en las asignaciones de fondos es el siguiente:

El borrador de la enmienda estará disponible en los siguientes lugares: Oficina del Secretario Municipal - 735 Anacapa Street; Biblioteca Pública Principal - 40 E. Anapamu Street; y el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario - 630 Garden Street, 2º piso. La enmienda propuesta al Plan de Asignación HOME-ARP se puede ver en: www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

Para obtener información adicional, comuníquese con la Oficina de Desarrollo Comunitario al (805) 564-5461 o por correo electrónico estotts@santabarbaraca.gov.

se puede ver en: www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov

“I’m involved with the St. Francis Foundation, because even in our thriving and generous community, we still have neighbors who need support and I feel called to help.”

- Salvatory “Tory” Milazzo, St. Francis of Santa Barbara Board Member since 2015

The St. Francis Foundation of Santa Barbara is a steward of financial resources bestowed by donors, in support of local community organizations focused on health, palliative and geriatric care.

Read our history at www.stfrancisfoundationsb.org

Board Members:

Officers

Salvatore “Tory” Milazzo, Board President

Syd Walker, Vice President

Sam Capra, Treasurer Mary Solis, Secretary

Tina Frontado, Executive Director

Directors

Debbie Cloud

Father Larry Gosselin, OFM

Whitt Hollis

Heidi Holly

Jan Ingram

The Rev. Mary Moreno-Richardson

Hope Saxon

Jeanne West

CALL FOR ENTRIES

In Tune with Nature

Submissions soon will be open for Voice Gallery’s September 2025 Exhibition.

Area artists are invited to participate. Sculpture and 2D work is welcome.

To participate: email up to three images to artcall@voicesb.art between August 1st and 15th.

Label images with artist name and title of the piece

Images should be 1000 pixels wide - jpeg or tiff

Entry email must also include: artist’s name, telephone number, material, dimensions, price.

Entry fee will be collected for ACCEPTED pieces at 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 3-5pm, Saturday, August 30th.

Exhibition Dates: September 2nd to 27th, 2025

Unsold Art Pick Up: Saturday, September 27th - 3 to 5pm

1st Thursday Reception: September 4th • 5-8pm 3rd Friday Reception: September 19th • 5-8pm

Questions? Call Kerry Methner • 805-570-2011

SPORTS

Don Giovanni for the Past, Present, & Future 65th SB Golf Classic Tees Off Next Week

By Daisy Scott / VOICE

TRIUMPHANT, SOARING VOCALS

TRANSPORTED AUDIENCES

to 1930s Hollywood when the Music Academy of the West presented its original, re-imagined version of Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Granada Theatre on July 18th and 20th. With director Mo Zhou at the helm, the performance emerged as a testament to opera’s power to transcend time and evolutions in cultural understanding.

Maintaining the original Italian libretto and magnificent score, performed by the Music Academy orchestra under conductor Christian Reif, Zhou’s production reframed Mozart’s infamous libertine as a studio head taking advantage of aspiring actresses during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The effect was powerful. Each cast member demonstrated keen awareness of the complex task before them, delivering nuanced vocal and acting performances that celebrated the opera’s beauty while also casting new scrutiny on the story itself.

Joshua James Klein exuded selfassurance as Don Giovanni, his baritone voice reaching haunting heights as he ranged from rakish misdeeds to assault and murder before finally meeting his fate. Bass-baritone Irakli Pkhaladze aptly infused his performances with comedy and moments of reflection as Giovanni’s awkward, mischievous assistant Leporello.

As one would anticipate from this reframed setting, the women characters took center stage as the opera’s backbone. Soprano Xinshu Li delivered an especially moving performance as Donna Anna, an aspiring filmmaker who consistently calls for justice to be brought against Giovanni for murdering her father the Commendatore (masterfully sung by David Kahng).

Soprano Emily Margevich embodied power and indignation as Donna Elvira, Giovanni’s abandoned wife. In a scene of female solidarity, she swooped to rescue Zerlina, beautifully portrayed by Ruoxi Peng. Additional highlights were Jack Burrows’ depiction of Zerlina’s untrusting fiancee Masetto, and Joshua Berg’s faithful Don Ottavio.

While many of the opera’s comic moments were preserved, the artistic move distinctly pushed Don Giovanni away from its designation as opera buffa, bringing its darker elements to the foreground. For instance, audience members could not help but chuckle as Leporello disillusioned Elvira of Giovanni’s character, his journal’s pages comically accordioning out to reveal the names of hundreds of women who have slept with his employer.

Yet as Pkhaladze continued singing with a lively air, Margevich quietly sunk to the floor, slowly examining the pages. Her subtle actions sobered the moment, silently raising the question of these women’s identities and how Giovanni invariably had manipulated, tricked, or forced them to have their names added on that list.

“This is not just the story of one man, but of an entire system — one that has risen, fallen, and will rise again in different forms,” explained Zhou in her director’s note. “But as long as there are those willing to question, challenge, and fight, there will always be the possibility of change. The past warns us, but it also offers hope: that the structures of power are not immutable, and that even the most entrenched forces can be rewritten.”

As Giovanni’s final dramatic moments rang out and Donna Anna took her rightful place as a new studio leader, audiences rose to their feet to deliver a hearty, well-deserved round of applause. Once again, bravo to the Music Academy for a bold operatic production!

By Judah Brody / VOICE

LIVELY CROWDS, FRIENDLY BANTER, AND YELLS OF “FORE!” return to Santa Barbara as our annual golf classic nears. The two-day event runs from August 2nd-3rd at the newly renovated Santa Barbara Golf Club.

“We’ve redesigned some greens. We’ve just completed four tee box renovations, they’ve been laser leveled and sorted. We planted new trees. We remodeled the golf shop with new carpet and paint,” said SB Golf Club General Manager Randy Shannon, PGA.

The course is a par-70, played twice for the classic. Shannon says anything 15 under 140 has a shot at winning the top-tier championship, the Santa Cruz flight.

Around 160 players will compete in teams of two in a best-ball format, driving toward a chance at local fame: a plaque and, of course, bragging rights. The championship flight winners also receive their names engraved on the perpetual trophy.

The favorite to win the Santa Cruz flight this year is team Grady Smith/Mitchell Martin, having won in 2022 and 2024. Looking to dethrone the reigning champs and win their second Classic in three years is team John Gilles/ Tyler Ley, who won in 2023.

“This is not just for the young kids. We have seniors that play in the championship flight and a lot of good camaraderie,” said Shannon. “And a lot of people come out on Sunday, to watch the finish, as well as throughout the whole weekend.”

There is also a women’s flight, dubbed the Santa Barbara flight, and two other men’s “net” flights which teams are sorted into based on their handicaps. All participants will receive a Club Glove caddy towel with the classic logo on it, and prizes total over $9,000 in club gift cards.

Another team to watch out for in the championship flight is Bobby Schaeffer/Tyler Crawford, who won in 2019. Schaeffer bested the field the past three consecutive years in the senior golf championship, held in September.

Tiebreak determined ‘24 winners

Hole-18 is a par-5, and last year the last two teams both made birdie on it and were deadlocked in a tie.

“We went back to play 18 for a second time,” recalled Shannon. “Mitchell Martin hit it in the back right bunker on 18. Then he held out from the bunker in the play-off for eagle and to win. That was a very exciting finish for everybody.”

Club Course Record Broken

In June, the SB Golf Club course record was broken. Previously, it was held for 41 years by ex-PGA tour player Jeff Hughes, who shot a 59.

“Of all days, on Friday the 13th, Mike Hultberg shot a 58,” concluded Shannon. Register at playsantabarbara.com before July 28th. Some flights have sold out, but alternates are always needed.

Photo by Phil Channing

Photo by

Christoph Hillebrand

Xinshu Li, Joshua Berg, and Emily Margevich scheme against Joshua James Klein in the Music Academy of the West’s production of Don Giovanni

Randy Shannon, General Manager of Santa Barbara Golf Club, which will host the 65th annual Santa Barbara Golf Classic from August 2nd-3rd

When Will Housing Recover?

“Overall, I expect tariffs to boost inflation by about 1 percentage point over the second half of this year and the first part of next year,”

– John

Williams, New York Fed President.

By Harlan Green, Special to VOICE

July 17, 2025

THE HOUSING MARKET IS IN DIRE STRAITS, needless to say. Interest rates are too high so the question du jour is when will they come down, if ever?

President Williams' above remarks mirror what many of the Fed Governors who vote on interest rates are saying. Expectations for higher interest rates abound as a result of the inflation expectations. It’s why the housing market may have to wait until next year to recover. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is still hovering close to seven percent, which is keeping first-time buyers out of the housing market and elevating rental rates.

There are other reasons to wait, of course. The housing shortage, a lingering victim of the slow recovery from the Great Recession’s busted housing bubble, is keeping home prices from declining.

the Fed Chairman that he appointed in his first term.

It’s also why Trump and his allies claim tariffs are not causing inflation, and for the president saying, “inflation is dead” so he can justify his push for rate cuts. Trump has called on the Fed to slash interest rates by as much as one percent, with the Fed’s benchmark rate still in the 4.25percent to 4.5 percent range.

That will ultimately happen because there is almost unanimity among economists that the tariffs will make everything more expensive, which will ultimately slow growth enough to require the Fed to act.

By Harlan Green

And President Trump’s on-and-off attempts to bully Fed President Jerome Powell and the 12 Fed Governors to lower interest rates isn’t succeeding, despite Trump’s daily insults.

It’s another version of TACO Trump’s negotiating skills. He only knows how to bully, which is why he has left a trail of bankruptcies and lawsuits throughout his business career. But Trump keeps denying he is about to fire

Realtors and some economists are also calling for lower mortgage rates to strengthen the housing market. Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics is worried. He wrote wrote in a post on X and LinkedIn, “Housing will … soon be a full-blown headwind to broader economic growth adding to the growing list of reasons to be worried about the economy’s prospects later this year and early next,” as cited by MarketWatch.

There is a slight hope that home sales might improve this year, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Pending home sales—that are homes under contract but not closed—increased by 1.8 percent in May from the prior month and 1.1 percent year-over-year, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Pending Home Sales report.

"Consistent job gains and rising wages are

modestly helping the housing market," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Hourly wages are increasing faster than home prices. However, mortgage rate fluctuations are the primary driver of homebuying decisions and impact housing affordability more than wage gains.”

Existing-home sales have been stagnant for years, hovering around four million annual sales since January 2022 when the Fed first began to raise interest rates, but were up +0.8 percent from April to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.03 million in May 2025. Sales declined 0.7 percent year-over-year, however.

When will builders have enough confidence to build more homes, including affordably priced homes? New home sales, which constitute approximately 13.4 percent of all U.S. home sales, dropped 13.7 percent

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 25CV03773 Petitioner: Maria Campoverde filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Kaylanni Lucila Diaz-Bello to PROPOSED NAME: Kaylanni Lucila Campoverde. 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: August 25, 2025; 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: 7/2/2025 /s/: Colleen K. Sterne, Judge of the Superior Court. Legal #25CV03773 Pub Dates: July 18, 25, August 1, 8, 2025.

in May 2025 to a seven-month low of 623,000 units. This decline was the largest since June 2022.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 34 in May, down six points from April, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This ties the November 2023 reading and is the lowest since the index hit 31 in December 2022.

Interest rates must eventually come down because as Mark Zandi says, poor housing sales are already a “full-blown head wind” to higher growth and the Fed will have to act to eventually counteract the added ‘head wind’ from the tariffs as well.

But how long must we wait for that to happen, and will it be soon enough to prevent something even more serious from happening?

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.

VOICE Magazine • Community Market

Where to Learn About Local Government Meetings

The Santa Barbara City Council meets most Tuesdays at 2pm

• To learn more about the council and other City department meetings, visit www.santabarbaraca.gov

The Goleta City Council meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 5:30pm

• To learn more about the council and other City department meetings, visit www.cityofgoleta.org

The Carpinteria City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 5:30pm • To learn more about other City departments visit www.carpinteriaca.gov

The Multi-family Investment Specialist

STEVE GOLIS

Read this week’s issue of VOICE Magazine at www.VoiceSB.com

Includes all ads with live links

sgolis@radiusgroup.com www.radiusgroup.com 805-879-9606

NOTICE OF PUBLICATIONS ON APPLICATIONS REGARDING PROVISIONS OF TITLE 28 AND/OR 30 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA (SBMC)

The Secretary of the Staff Hearing Officer has set a public hearing for Wednesday, August 6, 2025 beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room, 630 Garden Street.

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, an Agenda with all items to be heard on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 will be available online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHO. Agendas, Minutes, and Staff Reports are also accessible online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHO.

TELEVISION COVERAGE: This meeting will be broadcast live on City TV-Channel 18 and online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTV. See SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTVProgramGuide for a rebroadcast schedule. An archived video of this meeting will be available at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHOVideos.

WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may be submitted via email to SHOSecretary@SantaBarbaraCA.gov before the beginning of the Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to the SHO and will become part of the public record. You may also submit written correspondence via US Postal Service (USPS); addressed to SHO Secretary, PO Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990. However, please be advised, correspondence sent via USPS may not be received in time to process prior to the meeting and email submissions are highly encouraged. Please note that the SHO may not have time to review written comments received after 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting.

All public comment that is received before 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting will be published on the City’s website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SHO Comments provided via USPS or e-mail will be converted to a PDF before being posted on the City’s website. Note: comments will be published online the way they are received and without redaction of personal identifying information; including but not limited to phone number, home address, and email address. Only submit information that you wish to make available publicly.

APPEALS: Decisions of the SHO may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Appeals may be filed in person at the Community Development Department at 630 Garden Street or in writing via email to SHOSecretary@ SantaBarbaraCA.gov. For further information and guidelines on how to appeal a decision to the Planning Commission, please contact Planning staff at (805) 564-5578 as soon as possible. Appeals and associated fee must be submitted in writing, via email to PlanningCounter@SantaBarbaraCA.gov and by first class mail postage prepaid within 10 calendar days of the meeting that the SHO took action or rendered a decision. Appeals and associated fee post marked after the 10th calendar day will not be accepted.

NOTE TO INTERESTED PARTIES: Only those persons who participate through public comment either orally or in writing on an item on this Agenda have standing to appeal the decision. Grounds for appeal are limited to those issues raised either orally or in written correspondence delivered to the review body at, or prior to, the public hearing.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you need services or staff assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact the SHO Secretary at (805) 564-5470, extension 4572. If possible, notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will usually enable the City to make reasonable arrangements. Specialized services, such as sign language interpretation or documents in Braille, may require additional lead time to arrange.

• 1260 Northridge Road

Assessor’s Parcel Number: 055-030-055

Zoning Designation: RS-1A (Residential Single Unit)

Application Number: PLN2024-00360

Applicant / Owner: Melissa Livingston, Mosaic Architects & Interiors / Stanbury Irene Rojas

Project Description: Residential Addition And Remodel Requiring A Front Setback Modification

• 317 W Alamar Avenue

Assessor’s Parcel Number: 025-012-004

Zoning Designation: R-M (Residential Multi-Unit)

Application Number: PLN2024-00284

Applicant / Owner: Dan Johnston, Architecture, J. A., Inc. / Weston, Teresa

Project Description: Second Story Accessory Dwelling Requiring Interior Setback and Open Modifications

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meets most Tuesdays at 9am • To learn more about other County departments visit www.countyofsb.org Which non-profits will you support?

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT: The following Corporation is doing business as TURNER’S OUTDOORSMAN at 2004 Preisker Ln I, Santa Maria, CA 93454. TURNERS OPERATIONS INC at 1336 Alder Ave, Rialto, CA 92376. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on July 21, 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. 2025-0001713. Published July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT: The following General Partnership is doing business as SANTA BARBARA STRINGED INSTRUMENTS; SUZUKI VIOLIN SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA; ZARLINO SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS; MALVINNI STRINGED INSTRUMENTS at 2625 Hacienda Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. DAVID MALVINNI and VALERIE MALVINNI at 2625 Hacienda Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on July 21, 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. 2025-0001724. Published July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT: The following Individual is doing business as HERNANDEZ HARDWOOD FLOORS at 554 Coronel Pl, Apt 5, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. HEYMAR HERNANDEZ at 554 Coronel Pl, Apt 5, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on June 10, 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. 2025-0001386. Published July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT: The following Individual is doing business as PITOME PUBLISHING at 1440 Jesusita Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. NINA S GELMAN-GANS at 3463 State St 168, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on June 6, 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. 2025-0001361. Published July 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT: The following Corporation is doing business as MC INC at 130 Garden St, Unit 3C1, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. MARTORANO CONSTRUCTION INC at PO Box 2653, Santa Barbara, CA 93120. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on June 24, 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. 2025-0001493. Published July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 2025.

8.13” times 3 columns = $116.58 • 7.25.25 SHO Hearing Aug 6. Kira Esparzare:

Print: 7.25.25/ Digital

times

columns = $115.72 • 7.25.25 PC.Hearing Aug 7.Kira Esparza re: 460 El Cielito Road, 1230 San Andres

VOICE Magazine • Community Market • LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLICATIONS ON APPLICATIONS REGARDING PROVISIONS OF TITLE 28 AND/OR 30 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA (SBMC)

The Secretary of the Planning Commission has set a public hearing for Thursday, August 7, 2025 beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street.

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, an Agenda with all items to be heard on Thursday, August 7, 2025 will be posted on the outdoor bulletin board at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street, and online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC. Agendas, Minutes, and Staff Reports are also accessible online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC.

WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may be submitted via email to PCSecretary@SantaBarbaraCA.gov before the beginning of the Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to the Commission and will become part of the public record. You may also submit written correspondence via US Postal Service (USPS) addressed to PC Secretary, PO Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990. However, please be advised, correspondence sent via USPS may not be received in time to process prior to the meeting and email submissions are highly encouraged. Please note that the Commission may not have time to review written comments received after 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting.

All public comment that is received before 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting will be published on the City’s website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC. Comments provided via USPS or e-mail will be converted to a PDF before being posted on the City’s website. Note: comments will be published online the way they are received and without redaction of personal identifying information; including but not limited to phone number, home address, and email address. Only submit information that you wish to make available publicly.

APPEALS: Decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council. For further information and guidelines on how to appeal a decision to City Council, please contact the City Clerk’s office at Clerk@ SantaBarbaraCA.gov as soon as possible. Appeals may be filed in person at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or in writing via email to Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov and by first class mail postage prepaid within 10 calendar days of the meeting at which the Commission took action or rendered its decision. Appeals and associated fee postmarked after the 10th calendar day will not be accepted.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you need services or staff assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator’s Office at (805) 5645305. If possible, notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will usually enable the City to make reasonable arrangements. Specialized services, such as sign language interpretation or documents in Braille, may require additional lead time to arrange.

• 460 El Cielito Road

Assessor’s Parcel Number: 021-073-002

Zoning Designation: RS-1A (Residential Single Unit)

Application Number: PLN2025-00088

Applicant / Owner: Kaitlyn Earnest, SEPPS Land Use Consulting / Curlicue Enterprises LLC

Project Description: Subdivide existing parcel into two lots. No development proposed.

• 1230 San Andres

Assessor’s Parcel Number: 039-151-002

Zoning Designation: R-M (Residential Multi-Unit)

Application Number: PLN2025-00176

Applicant / Owner: Jarrett Gorin, Vanguard Planning Inc. / Elysium Rental Properties LLC

Project Description: Convert seven rental units into ownership condominium units. No development proposed.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 25CV03416

Petitioner: Stacy Ann Denton filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Stacy Ann Denton to PROPOSED NAME: Stacy Ann Jarel. 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: August 20, 2025; 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: 7/2/2025 /s/: Thomas P. Anderle, Judge of the Superior Court. Legal #25CV03416 Pub Dates: July11, 18, 25, August 1, 2025.

Santa Barbara Mortgage Interest Rates

Contact your local loan agent or mortgage broker for current rates:

DRAPER & KRAMER MORTGAGE CORP.

Please call for current rates: Russell Story, 805-895-8831

PARAGON MORTGAGE GROUP

Please call for current rates: 805-899-1390

HOMEBRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES

Please call for current rates: Erik Taiji, 805-895-8233, NMLS #322481

MONTECITO BANK & TRUST

Please call for current rates: 805-963-7511 • Coastal Housing Partnership Member

SB MORTGAGE GROUP

Simar Gulati, 805-403-9679

U.S. BANK

Please call for current rates: Teri Gauthier, 805-565-4571 • Coastal Housing Partnership Member

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

50 + Years Experience - Local 35+ Years

• Floor Leveling

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• French Drains - Waterproofing

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• Underpinnings - Caissons

• Structural Correction Work

• Concrete Driveways

• Virtual Building Inspections 805.698.4318

William J. Dalziel

Lic#B311003 – Bonded & Insured

BillJDalziel@gmail.com

WilliamDalziel.work

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CINEMA

Summer Film Series at Refugio State Beach • Nature films “Wild As A Raspberry”, “Two Point Four” and “Otter Space” • 10 Refugio Beach Rd • Free • naturetrackfilmfestival.org • 8pm, Sat, 7/26.

Cinema Events:

Asian American Film Series: Starring Jerry As Himself• An immigrant father recently divorced and retired was recruited to be an undercover agent • Alhecama Theatre • $5 • sbthp. org • 6pm, Fri, 7/25.

Free or Discounted:

Summer Cinema: Best In Show • Diverse dog owners showcasing their four-legged contenders • SB Courthouse Sunken Gardens • Free • artsandlectures. ucsb.edu • 8:30pm, Fri, 7/25.

Community Film Screening: Salsipuedes Street • A young man fends for himself and younger sisters after their parents are deported • Alhecama Theatre • Free • sunan-thespace.org • 2pm, Sat, 7/26.

The Doctrine of Recovery • Film Screening and talk exploring the impacts of the “Doctrine of Recovery” • Alhecama Theatre • Free • sunan-thespace.org • 3:30pm, Sat, 7/26.

-PG13Thu-Fri 4-7 | Sat-Sun 1-4-7 | Mon-Tue-Wed 4-7 SMURFS -PG- Thu-Fri 4:45-7 Sat-Sun 12-2:30-4:45-7 | Mon-Tue-Wed 4:45-7

www.metrotheatres.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Friday 7/25

COMEDY

Friday Night Laughs • LA

Comedians • Java Station • $20 • santabarbaracomedyclub.com • 7pm, Fri.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Impact Conference • AI to strengthen human connections • Westmont, 955 La Paz Rd • RSVP $129 • westmont.edu/impact • All Day, FriSat, 7/25-7/26.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse Docent Tours • Free

• www.sbcourthouse.org • 10:30am Mon-Fri & 2pm daily.

Meditation Class • Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Ctr @ 1825 State Street (Upstairs) with Kadam Keli • $15 • meditationinsantabarbara.org • 5:30-6:30pm Fri.

MUSIC

SoCal Souldies • Los Yesterdays, The Jack Moves, & The Silvertone • SOhO • $35 • sohosb.com • 9pm, Fri, 7/25.

Gogol Bordello • 2025 California Tour: Puzzled Panther, Grace Bergere

• Arlington • $54 • arlingtontheatresb. com • 7:30pm, Fri, 7/25.

Karaoke Fridays on State • Longoria Wines • 6:30-8:30pm Fri.

Saturday 7/26

CHILDREN & FAMILY

Free Community Day • Flying trapeze experiences for all ages/ abilities, food, music • SB Trapeze & LEAP • Plaza Vera Cruz, 131 E. Haley St. • 3-6pm Su, 7/26.

COMEDY

South Coast Stand-Up Comedy

• Mary Gallagher, Jamal Doman, and Andy Fernandez • The Alcazar Theatre • $15 • thealcazar.org • 7pm, Sat, 7/26.

Storytime @ the Sea Center •

Stories of the sea • all ages • Free with admission • SBNature.org • 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.

Explore Together • Ages 0-7 • Interactive science, math, literacy and art • Central Library • 10:15-11:15am, Sat.

DANCE

Viva El Baile • Contreras Flamenco Arts Student Showcase starring the 2025 Spirit of Fiesta Natalia Treviño • Center Stage • $34-$44 • centerstagetheater.org • 4pm, 6:30pm, Sat, 7/26.

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS

How to Move Energy 101 • Manifest positive changes in your physical reality • Yoga Soup 28 Parker Way • $50 • yogasoup.com • 1-4pm, Sat, 7/26.

SB GO Club • Play or learn the ancient strategic board game. All levels •

Questions: Lorin 805-448-5335 • Free • Mosaic Coffee, 1131 State St • 11-4 Sat.

Crafternoon: Craft for the Earth •

EE Makerspace • exploreecology.org • $8 • 2:30-4:30 Wed, 11:30-1pm Sat.

MUSIC

Brass @ the Band Shell • Music Academy of the West presents Bernstein’s Suite from West Side Story • Plaza del Mar Band Shell, 100 Castillo St. • Free • https://tinyurl.com/52cf56fh • 11am-2pm, Sat, 7/26.

The Rhythm Industrial Complex • Global grooves, outdoor dancing, Argentinian cuisine • Buena Onda, 724 East Haley • Free • buenaondasb.com • 6-9pm, Sat, 7/26.

Free Concert Series • Featuring Jaden Secor Band • 865 Linden Ave. • Free • carpinteriaartscenter.org • 6-9pm, Sat, 7/26.

Josue Hernandez Y Los Diamantes • Live music, local talent • Samala Showroom, 3400 East Highway 246 • Free • chumashcasino. com • 8pm, 7/26.

Shine On: Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular • Sounds of Pink Floyd and a display of light and sound • The Granada • $50-$95 • granadasb.org • 7:30pm, Sat, 7/26.

OUTDOORS

SB High Library On The Go

• 700 E Anapamu • Free • library. santabarbaraca.gov • 8am-1pm, Sat, 7/26.

Power Hour • Workout with Napoleon Jinnies • De La Guerra Pl by Paseo Nuevo Cinemas • Free • 1011am Sat.

Sunday 7/27

CHILDREN

Storytime @ the Sea Center • Stories of the sea • all ages • Free with admission • SBNature.org • 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS

Book Talk With Michael C. Higgins • Exploring Wine RegionsThe Central Coast of California • Chaucer’s Bookstore 3321 State St. • Free • chaucersbooks.com • 4pm, Sun, 7/27.

Empathy Cafe • Practice listening & empathy • Riviera Theatre upstairs • Free • theempathycenter.org • 11am Sun.

MUSIC

Summer Carillon Recital

• With Wesley Arai (UCSB University Carillonist) • UCSB Stork Tower • Free • music.ucsb.edu • 2pm, Sun, 7/27.

OUTDOORS

Ladies Hat Day • All ages are encouraged to don their best hats to enter the contest • Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club • $39 • sbpolo.com • 3:30-6pm, Sun, 7/27.

Sundays At The Ranch • Barn animals, outdoor fun & tractor rides. • 304 N. Los Carneros Rd • Free First Sunday Concerts! • 11am – 2pm Sun. Domingo Tour • AFSB presents a guided stroll through SB’s Architectural charm • begins at SB Downtown Library • $20 • afsb.org • 10am Sun.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Poke House Luau • magic show, Hawaiian dancers, live drumming, music • https://tinyurl.com/25azktvs • Paseo Nuevo Mall • Free• 1:30pm, Sun, 7/27.

Ladies, Bring Out Your Hats

ENJOY A DAY UNDER THE SANTA BARBARA SUN and show off your most flamboyant and festive fedora, sombrero, or sun hat! All are welcome to sport their favorite headwear, and compete for prizes at this years’ Hat Day Contest at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. Purchase your tickets for July 27th, 3:30 to 6 pm and see the spectacle and headpieces lined up for a chance to win. All ages are welcome and encouraged to enter! For tickets ($40-$900), visit sbpolo.com

Royalty Of Pride • Talented contestants light up the stage • 33 West Victoria St. • $50-$100 • etcsb.org •6:30pm, Sun, 7/27.

Monday 7/28

CHILDREN

Lunch at the Library • Kids and teens enjoy free lunches all summer. fun games, and hands-on crafts • Central Library • 12-1pm Mon-Fri.

Our Cosmic Coast • Learn and play among scale models of the planets • SB Museum of Natural History • $14-$19 • sbnature.org • 10am-5pm, Mon-Fri.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

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

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

Tuesday 7/29

COMEDY

Javier Cerinani en Antes Que Me Matan • Number one Latino journalist with a controversial and provocative show • The Alcazar Theatre • $40 • thealcazar.org • 7:30pm, Tue, 7/29.

CHILDREN

Lego Club • Ages K-6 • Central Library • 4-5pm, Tue.

Bilingual Songs & Stories • Ages 0-5 • Eastside Library • 11-11:30am, Tue.

OUTDOORS

Music at The Ranch • music by Salty Strings; food trucks • Rancho La Patera & Stow House • Free • goletahistory.org • 5:30-7:30pm, Tue, 7/29.

Community Forest Bathing with PALMA Colectiva • A forest therapy walk • Botanic Garden • $40 • sbbotanicgarden.org • 9-10am, Tue. Macrophotography in the Butterfly Pavilion • 90 minutes surrounded by winged wonders • SB Museum of Natural History • $65 • sbnature.org • 8:30-10am, Tue, 7/29.

COMEDY

Carpinteria Improv Drop-In Class • Learn improv with friends • Alcazar Theater • $10 at door • thealcazar.org • 7-9pm Tue.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Reclaimed Jewelry Making Workshop • Reclaimed Jewelry Making Workshop • 302 East Cota St. • $25 • exploreecology.org • 6-7:30pm, Tue, 7/29.

Interm. Spanish Conversation • Central Library • calendar.library. santabarbaraca.gov • Free • 10-11am Tue.

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

Collage Zine Workshop • Discover the art of DIY publishing • EE Makerspace • $20 register at exploreecology.org • 6-7:30pm Tue.

Courtesy

Photo

ACADEMY’S SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Week 6

Friday July 25

Duo Competition Finals • Hahn Hall 10am to 5pm (intermission from 12-1pm)

Composers In Context • Huang Ruo & Kamala Sankaram • Hahn Hall 7:30pm • with Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano; John Churchwell, piano; Sing!; Helen Kim, violin

Saturday July 26

Community Event • Brass @ The Band Shell, Plaza del Mar Band Shell • Performance 11am, Instrument Exploration Station 11:45am

Lobero Nights Series • Teaching Artist Showcase: Brahms & Schubert • Lobero Theatre • 7:30pm • with: Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin; Milan Milisavljević, viola; Alan Stepansky, cello; Martin Beaver, violin; Scott Pingel, double bass; and Jeremy Denk, piano

Week 7

Monday July 28

Collaborative Piano Masterclass • Hahn Hall 3:30 PM with Jonathan Feldman

Tuesday July 29

Marilyn Horne Song Competition • Hahn

Hall 11 AM-5 PM (intermission from 1-2:30 PM)

Piano Spotlight Series • Solo Piano

Spotlight No. 2 • Hahn Hall 7:30 PM

Wednesday July 30

Cello Masterclass • Lehmann Hall • 1 pm with Ani Aznavoorian

Trumpet Masterclass • Weinman Hall • 3:30 pm with Billy R. Hunter, Jr.

Salon Series: Schumann & Mendelssohn • Lehmann Hall 7:30 pm with Martin Beaver, viola

Thursday July 31

Harp Masterclass • Weinman Hall •1 pm withJoAnn Turovsky

Violin Masterclass •Lehmann Hall • 1 pm with Martin Beaver

LVI Masterclass • Hahn Hall 3:30 pm with Mosher Guest Artist Christine Goerke

Trombone & Tuba Masterclass • Weinman Hall 3:30 pm with Weston Sprott

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Wednesday 7/30

CHILDREN

Bilingual Music & Movement • Ages 0-5 • SB Public Library • 10:1510:45am, Wed.

Read to a Dog • Practice reading with a therapy dog! • Free • Eastside Library • 3-4pm, Wed.

COMEDY

Sammy Obeid, Comedian • LebanesePalestinian American comedian • Center Stage • $35-$55 • centerstagetheater.org • 8pm, Wed, 7/30.

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS

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

Mending Matters • Sewing & mending • Explore Ecology, 302 E Cota St • $15 • exploreecology.org • 5:30pm7:30pm Wed.

Le Cercle Français • French conversation, all levels • The Natural Cafe, 361 Hitchcock Way •

HISTORY IS BEING MADE at the newly restored Plaza del Mar Band Shell with the Music Academy of the West’s first-ever community concert Brass @ the Band Shell Just a steps from the beach, Academy Brass Fellows will perform a free outdoor concert featuring brass favorites including Bernstein’s Suite from West Side Story by brass fellows. The event begins at 11 am Saturday, July 26th and will include an Instrument Exploration Station at 11:45 am. This event is in partnership with the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Van Program and is a free event open to the public.

X2 Series Cynthia Phelps: Femme Focus • Hahn Hall 7:30 pm with: Helen Kim, violin; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Ani Aznavoorian, cello; Eugene Izotov, oboe; Richie Hawley, clarinet; William Short, bassoon; Natasha Kislenko and Margaret McDonald, piano

Friday August 1

Double Bass Masterclass • Weinman Hall

1 PM with Scott Pingel

Oboe Masterclass • Lehmann Hall 1 PM with Eugene Izotov

https://tinyurl.com/5ejbd9ye

• Free • 5-6:30pm Wed.

Meditation Class • Mahakankala Kadampa Buddhist Ctr @ 1825 State Street (Upstairs) with Charles DeLisle • $15 • meditationinsantabarbara.org • 6:30-7:30pm Wed.

MUSIC

Gondwana’s Quique Neira with Elenah • Chilean reggae artist • SOhO • $22 • sohosb.com • 8pm, Wed, 7/30.

Rhythm & Roots with Louie Cruz Beltran • Interactive percussion exploring Afro Cuban and Mexican rhythms • Faulkner Gallery • Free • library.santabarbaraca.gov • 121pm, Wed, 7/30.

OUTDOORS

Identifying Plant Families in the Garden • Learn and refine your

Solo Piano Masterclass • Hahn Hall 3:30 PM with Jeremy Denk

Composers In Context: inti figgisvizueta • Hahn Hall 7:30 pm with Helen Kim, violin; Jennifer Montone, horn; Conor Hanick, piano

Saturday August 2

Academy Festival Orchestra Series: Ravel’s Bolero • Stéphane Denève, conductor • The Granada Theatre 7:30 pm • with Mosher Guest Artist Christine Goerke

plant identification skills • SB Botanic Garden • $30 • sbbotanicgarden.org • 5-6:30pm, Wed, 7/30.

SPECIAL EVENTS

2025 Grant Awards Celebration • The FUND’s Grant Awards honors recipients • 400 Alisal Rd, Solvang • Free • fundforsantabarbara.org • 5-8pm, Wed, 7/30.

Thursday 7/31

CHILDREN

Music & Movement Shoreline Park • music, dancing, and creative play • Shoreline Park • Free • calendar.library.santabarbaraca.gov • 10:30-11am, Thu.

Santa Barbara Ghost Tours

COMEDY

Backstage Comedy Club • Home to hilarious stand-up comedy • The Red Piano • $20-$25 • theredpiano.com

• 7:30pm, Thu.

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS

Earth Seed Bombs and Garden Collages • Workshop on sustainability • 302 East Cota St. • $20 • exploreecology. org • 3-4:30pm, Thu, 7/31.

OUTDOORS

Landscape Graphics • for DIY

Designers • SB Botanic Garden • $30 • sbbotanicgarden.org • 5:30-7pm, Thur, 7/31.

Santa Barbara Flea Market • Earl Warren • $7-32 • Earlwarren.com • 7am-3pm, Thu.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wild Night Out • Fundraiser gala and film premiere of “Wild Rescue” • Lobero Theatre • $45-$125 • lobero.org • 7pm, Thur, 7/31.

Friday 8/1

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS

How to Build a Habitable World

• Understanding planetary habitability

• SB Museum of Natural History • Free

• sbnature.org • 7:30-8:30pm, Fri, 8/1.

Listings:

MUSIC

Lupillo Rivera • Mexican-American singer and songwriter • Chumash Casino Resort • $81 • chumashcasino.com • 8pm, Fri, 8/1.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SB Rodeo Days • Cowboy culture, horsemanship, carnival, entertainment • Earl Warren Showgrounds • Free Carnival, $87 Rodeo • EarlWarren.com • 7pm, Fri-Sun, 8/1 to 8/3.

Saturday 8/2

DANCE

Summer Celebration of Nature

• State Street Ballet Academy’s Junior Intensive students perform • Lobero Theatre • $16-$27 • lobero.org • 6pm, Sat, 8/2.

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS

SBMAL Open House • A tour of the archive-library • 2201 Laguna St. • Free • sac.ca.gov • 9:30am-12pm, Sat, 8/2.

MUSIC

SB Mariachi Festival • Mariachi Herencia De Mexico, Mariachi Femenil Nuevo Tecalitlan and friends • SB Bowl • $95-$200 • sbbowl.com • 5pm, Sat, 8/2.

Theatre

Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein • SBCC presents a monster musical comedy adapted from the legendary film • Garvin Theatre • General $20 Students $10 • theatregroupsbcc.com • Through 7/26. Holmes and Watson • A mystery to uncover the truth behind three men claiming to be Sherlock Holmes • 13+ • Solvang Festival Theater • $25 • pcpa.org • Through 7/26.

Dance For The Natural World

NEW WORKS in the style of Ballet, Contemporary, Pointe, and more will be performed by State Street Ballet Academy’s Junior Intensive students in a show on Saturday, August 2nd at 6pm at the Lobero Theatre. Themed around the beauty of the natural world, this performance is sure to inspire and uplift. For tickets ($20-$30), visit lobero.org

60’s Mania - The Beat Goes On • Beatles’ British invasion to the legendary music of Woodstock • The Alcazar Theatre • $20 • thealcazar.org • 7:30-10:30pm, Sat, 8/2.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Bakery Pop Up • Bob’s Well Bread Bakery is partnering with Handlebar Coffee • 2720 De La Vina St. • Free • www.bobswellbread.com • 9am, Sat, 8/2.

The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. • Toetapping tunes and vaudevillian schtick guarantees side-splitting laughter • Rubicon Theatre • $25 • rubicontheatre.org • 2pm, 7pm, Fri-Sun, 7/25-7/27.

Something Rotten! • Sixteenth-century Shakespearean wit with twenty-first-century Broadway flair • $25 • pcpa.org • 8pm, 8/1 through 8/23.

Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition • Join Dorothy along her magical Journey • The Ojai Art Center • $20 • ojaiartcenter.org • 7pm, Fri 8/1-8/3.

Sunday 8/3

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS

Firewise Landscaping for Landscape Designers

• Workshops about fire resilient landscaping • SB Botanic Garden • Free • sbbotanicgarden.org • 9am-4pm, SatSun, 8/2-8/3.

MUSIC

Maren Morris • Dynamic vocalist with special guest Trousdale • SB Bowl • $50-$100 • sbbowl.com • 7pm, Sun, 8/3. Daveapalooza • Tribute Concert honoring David M. Mendoza • Lobero Theatre • Free • lobero.org • 2pm, Sun, 8/3.

OUTDOORS

Mujeres Makers Market • Community-driven space uplifting women of color • 123 E. Canon Perdido • Free • www.mujeresmakersmarket.com • 10am-4pm, Sun, 8/3.

presents

Directed by Rick Mokler

Musical Direction by David Potter

Choreography by Michele Spears

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks Original Direction and Choreography by Susan Stroman

Courtesy

Photo

ART VENUES

Elizabeth Gordon Gallery • Contemporary Artists • 15 W Gutierrez • 805-963-1157 • 11–5 TuSa • elizabethgordongallery.com

El Presidio De Santa Bárbara • Nihonmachi Revisited; Memorias y Facturas • 123 E Canon Perdido St • 10:30-4:30 Daily • sbthp.org

Elverhøj Museum • Suzi Trubitz: Through the Years • through Sept 1 • the history and Danish culture of Solvang & promoting the arts • 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang • 805-6861211 • 11-5 Th-Mo • elverhoj.org

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 • 529 State St • 805730-9109 • Fazzino.com

10 West Gallery • Engaging the Muse through Aug 10 • 10 W Anapamu • 11-5 We-Mo • 805-7707711 • 10westgallery.com

707 Gallery • Santa Barbara Visual Artists Summer exhibition through July • Paseo Nuevo #707 • 11-7 daily • sbvisualartists.com

Architectural Fdn Gallery • Marcia Rickard: Gimme Shelter ~ through Aug 9 • 229 E Victoria • 805965-6307 • 1–4 some Sa & By Appt • afsb.org

Art & Soul Gallery • ¡Viva La Fiesta! Pedro De La Cruz through Aug 31 • 1323 State St • artandsoulsb.com

Art, Design & Architecture Museum, UCSB • Reopens Sept 13 • museum.ucsb.edu

Art From Scrap • Explore Ecology: Environmental Educ. & Artistic Expression • exploreecology.org Atkinson Gallery, SBCC • gallery.sbcc.edu

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

The Carriage and Western Art Museum • SB History Makers: Silsby Spalding, WW Hollister, Dixie; Saddle & Carriage Collections • Free • 129 Castillo St • 805-962-2353 • 9-3 MoFr • carriagemuseum.org

California Nature Art Museum

• Yosemite: Sanctuary in Stone, Photographs by William Neill through Sep 1 • 1511 B Mission Dr, Solvang • 11-4 Mo, Th, Fr; 11-5 Sa & Su • calnatureartmuseum.org

Casa de La Guerra • Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making • Through Aug 31 • $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

Casa Dolores • Bandera Ware / traditional outfits ~ ongoing • 1023 Bath St • 12-4 Tu-Sa • 805-963-1032 • casadolores.org

Channing Peake Gallery • Form and Frame: Abstraction, Community, and the Language of Art • 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 • James Paul Brown A Joyful Vision & gallery artists • 125 N Milpas • 11-5 We-Sa • 805966-7939 • corridan-gallery.com

CPC Gallery • By appt • 36 E Victoria St • cpcgallery.com

Cypress Gallery • To Fluidity and Beyond by Chris Jeszeck • Through July 27 • 119 E Cypress Av, Lompoc • 1-4 Sa & Su • 805-737-1129 • lompocart.org

Gallery 113 • SB Art Assn • 1114 State St, #8, La Arcada Ct • 805965-6611 • 11-5 Mo-Sa; 1-4 Su • gallery113sb.com

Gallery Los Olivos • Between Earth and Sky: Deborah Kalas through July • Daily 10-4pm • 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 • We-Su 11-5pm • gracefisherfoundation.org

Indah Gallery • Plucked from a dream • Through Aug 3 • 12-5 FriSun • 2190 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez https://www.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 • Monarchy: Power, Intrigue, and Legacy: focusing on notable European monarchs, and their reigns• through Sept 30; a million+ historical documents • 21-23 W Anapamu • 10-4 Tu-Su • 805-9625322 • karpeles.com

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

Kelly Clause Art • Watercolors of Sea & Land • 28 Anacapa St, #B • Most weekdays 12-5 • kellyclause.com

La Cumbre Center For Creative Arts : Fine Line Gallery; Elevate Gallery; Illuminations Gallery

• Multi-Artist Stuido/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 • A Piece of Carpinteria

• through Aug 3 • 12-4 Th-Su

• 865 Linden • 805-684-7789 • carpinteriaartscenter.org

Maker House • Slingshot/Alpha Art

Studio Exhibition • 1351 Holiday Hill Rd • 805-565-CLAY • 10-4 Daily • claystudiosb.org

Marcia Burtt Gallery • Retrospective: Patricia Doyle & Refresh: Manny Lopez through Jul 26 • Contemporary Plein Air • Landscape paintings, prints, & books • 517 Laguna St • 1-5 Th-Su • 805-962-5588 • artlacuna.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 • Arte del Pueblo through Jul 27 • 11-6pm Tu-Sun • 653 Paseo Nuevo • mcasantabarbara.org

MCASB Satellite @ the Riviera Beach House • In Motion: Marie McKenzie & Marlene Struss through Oct 12 • 9am-9pm Daily • 121 State St • mcasantabarbara.org

Palm Loft Gallery • 410 Palm Av, Loft A1, Carpinteria • 1-6 Fr-Su & By Appt • 805-684-9700 • palmloft.com

Patricia Clarke Studio • 410 Palm Av, Carpinteria • By Appt • 805-4527739 • 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

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

Evening Light, Santa Barbara Courthouse - featuring in an exhibition at Palm Loft Gallery, Carpinteria

¡Viva La Fiesta! by Pedro De La Cruz opens at Art & Soul

CELEBRATE THE VIBRANT SPIRIT OF SANTA BARBARA THIS SUMMER with ¡Viva La Fiesta!, a timely and sensory-rich exhibition honoring cultural pride, familial ties, and community connection. Featuring the dynamic works of Mexican-American artist Pedro De La Cruz, ¡Viva La Fiesta! opens Saturday, July 26th, 2025 from 5to 8pm with live mariachi, flamenco dancing, and an opportunity to meet the artist—just in time for Santa Barbara’s cherished Fiesta celebrations.

Pedro De La Cruz, a self-taught artist born in Tijuana, Mexico, and now based in Santa Barbara, is celebrated for his bold use of color and expressive depictions of everyday life. Drawing from his Jalisco and Sonoran heritage, De La Cruz creates emotion-filled tableaux that poetically portray culture, joy, and belonging—rooted in his own story of sketching as a child, selling popsicles to help support his family, and finding solace in art.

ART EVENTS

Creating Through Chaos at Cypress Gallery Lompoc

• Making space for absurdity, resistance and weirdness • Cypress Gallery, Lompoc • Free • maniccreativeart.com • 4-7pm, Fri, 8/1.

Woof! An Art Show

Featuring Dogs & Workshop • Dogs and their owners welcome! • CAW, 631 Garden St. • Free • sbcaw.org • 11am-4pm, Sat, 8/2.

Paint Party • SB artist Carey Caulfield hosts a workshop • 31 W Carrillo St. • $45 • careypaints.com • 6-8pm, Tue, 7/29.

Opening Recption ¡Viva La Fiesta! Pedro De La Cruz

• Solo Exhibition honoring cultural pride, familial ties, and community connection • Art and Soul • Free • 5-8pm, Sat, 7/26.

SB Arts & Crafts Show • Local artists & artisans • Free • 236 E Cabrillo Blvd • 10-5 Sun.

Carpinteria Creative Arts

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

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

Blending influences from postmodern colorists and cubists such as Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, Kahlo, Warhol, and Basquiat, De La Cruz has developed a singular visual language— one infused with warmth, rhythm, and heart. Working quickly in acrylics and ink, he embraces spontaneity and raw emotion, painting “in the moment” to capture fleeting feelings before they fade.

Inspired by Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta, De La Cruz offers a visual tribute to this beloved event. His vibrant, expressive paintings capture the essence of Fiesta: its joy, resilience, and power to bring people together.

¡Viva La Fiesta! will run through August 31st.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum • Project Fiesta ~through Sept; Don Louis Perceval: His Vision of the West through Aug 17; 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 • The Swiftest Recovery: Island Fox Chronicles through Aug 24; 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 • Math + Art through Aug 24 • Sea of Ice: Echoes of the European Romantic Era through Aug 24; Proscenium: Elliott Hundley through Aug 31; By Achilles’ Tomb: Elliott Hundley and Antiquity @ SBMA through Feb 22;

Vian Sora: Outerworlds through Sept 7; Letterforms through Sep 14; Tibetan Paintings through Aug 17 • 1130 State St • 11-5 Tu-Su; 5-8 1st Th free; 2nd Sun free Tri-Co residents • 805-9634364 • sbma.net

Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History • Butterflies Alive! through Sep 1; Drawn from Nature: Antique Prints through Sep 7 • 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 (Fr & Sat 10-7 until 7/27). • 805-682-4711 • sbnature.org

Santa Barbara Tennis Club - 2nd Fridays Art • Marianna Victoria Mashek: In Pursuit of Beauty through Aug 23 • 2375 Foothill Rd • 10-6 Daily • 805-682-4722 • 2ndfridaysart.com

Santa Ynez Vallery Historical Museum • From Trauma to Hope: Stories of Foster Care • 3596 Sagunto St • sbcasa.oeg • 12-4pm Wed-Sun.

Sahyun Genealogical Library • 1925 Santa Barbara Earthquake: Stories and Lives Remembered • 316 Castillo St • Tue/Thu 10-4; Sun & 3rd Sat 1-4 • https://SBGen.org

Seimandi & Leprieur • Fertilum by French-Caribbean artist Ricardo Ozier-Lafontaine • through Oct 5 • 33 W Anapamu St. • Tue-Sun 11-6 • 805610-1203 • seimandileprieur.com

Slice of Light Gallery • Ben Coffman; Passage: Photography by JK Lovelace • 9 W Figueroa St • Mo-Fr 10-5 • 805-354-5552 • 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

Sullivan Goss • Robin Gowen: A Wild Hush opens Aug 1 • Leslie

Lewis Sigler: Kindred through Jul 28; Summer Salon through July 28; Jardin De Rêves: Lotusland Celebrates at Sullivan Goss through Jul 28 • 11 E Anapamu St • 10-5:30 daily • 805730-1460 • 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

Tamsen Gallery • Reminiscence’ by Loan Chabanol; Work by Robert W. Firestone • 1309 State St • 12-5 We-Su • 805-705-2208 • tamsengallery.com

www.ruthellenhoag.com @ruthellenhoag 805-689-0858 ~inquire for studio classes~

UCSB Library • Creative Currents through Sep 16 • library.ucsb.edu Voice Gallery • Challenges: Santa Barbara Printmakers & Friends through July • La Cumbre Plaza H-124 • 10-5:30 M-F; 1-5 Sa-Su • 805965-6448 • voicesb.art

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

Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum Of Art • Building A Collection: 2008 - 2025, Honoring Judy L. Larson • through Aug • Weekdays 10-4, Sat 11-5 • westmont.edu/museum

Old Spanish Days invites you to kick off Fiesta week at...

La Recepción del Presidente!

Sunday, July 27

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

How to build global community through Mexican literature

At UC Santa Barbara and beyond, Distinguished Professor Sara Poot Herrera’s research on Sor Juana and Mexican literary traditions has sparked a crossborder network rooted in mentorship, collaboration and cultural exchange

By Debra Herrick

The

UC Santa Barbara Current | 7.22.25

FOR SARA POOT HERRERA, distinguished professor of Spanish at UC Santa Barbara, literature isn’t about solitary reading or isolated academic work; it’s a vibrant force that builds community, fosters dialogue, and bridges cultural divides. At the heart of her scholarly journey is the Mexican Baroque poet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, whose feminist ideals and intellectual bravery have influenced Poot Herrera’s approach to education, research, and collaboration.

“What matters most to me is community,” Poot Herrera said. “When I write an article or publish a book, it often connects directly to organizing a conference or teaching a course. All these activities reinforce one another.”

Poot Herrera’s extensive research on Sor Juana’s feminist legacy underscores her commitment to creating meaningful scholarly networks. Her recent publications include essays such as “Sor Juana, imagen de México al mundo” (El Heraldo de México, 2025) and “¿Escribirte, Juana Inés?” (Laberinto, Milenio, 2025). She has also explored historical perspectives in “Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz en dos revistas del siglo XIX” (El Pez y la Flecha, 2025), demonstrating Sor Juana’s ongoing influence across centuries.

“When I reread Sor Juana’s ‘Respuesta,’ I see it as a call for constant learning,” said Poot Herrera, who was awarded a doctorate honoris causa from the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán in 2024 . “Sor Juana teaches

Sara Poot-Herrera

Distinguished Professor, Spanish and Portuguese

Sara Poot-Herrera has written over 100 publications, including books, book chapters, and papers. Her articles on Juan José Arreola, Carlos Fuentes, Juan Rulfo, Jaime Torres Bodet, Josefina Vicens, Carlos Fuentes, Elena Poniatowska, Sergio Pitol, José Emilio Pacheco, and Ignacio Solares, among others, have been published in academic and general-interest journals. She works above all are on women writers, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Mexican Culture, and Theater (XVII and XVIII century), and on contemporary romance and short stories (XXI Century Literature).

us to approach life with humility and openness. Her writings are foundational in understanding how literature helps us understand ourselves and others.”

In addition to her research on Sor Juana, Poot Herrera has written about authors such as Juan José Arreola, Elena Poniatowska, Nellie Campobello, Margo Glantz, Sergio Pitol, Juan Rulfo, Rosario Castellanos, and Cristina Rivera Garza, highlighting major trends in 20th- and 21st-century fiction. She also brings attention to lesser-studied voices and genres, including contemporary short stories and early modern theater and theater from the Inquisition.

Building upon her research, Poot Herrera co-founded UC Mexicanistas in 2008, an academic network dedicated to Mexican literature and culture. The organization, initiated informally after a literary conference at UCSB, now boasts more than 170 members from the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Its growth has been driven by scholarly exchange and shared academic interests.

“It started from a conversation among friends,” Poot Herrera explained. “We’ve never asked for funding or charged membership fees. We operate purely on friendship, respect, and mutual support.”

Through UC Mexicanistas, Poot Herrera has actively cultivated scholarly collaboration by organizing conferences and symposia that frequently result in publications and anthologies, extending the impact of research projects across broader academic communities. She emphasized breaking down traditional academic hierarchies through mentorship and collaboration, involving students, and encouraging them to present their research, interact with established authors, and engage in international exchanges.

“My students don’t just set up conferences; they participate directly,” Poot Herrera said. “They present their work, meet authors, publish papers, and build lasting professional connections. It’s their active participation that ensures the doors to academic opportunities remain open.” As for her own approachability, her students often say her office door isn’t even necessary because it’s always open to them. To that effect, she has directed 35 doctoral

dissertations in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and been a committee member on 16 more.

Her contributions to literary scholarship and public humanities have earned her numerous honors, including the Woman of the Year award from the Mexican-American Opportunity Foundation in Los Angeles, the Antonio Mediz Bolio Literary Medal in Mérida and the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Medal from the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana in 2021. Poot Herrera has also received the Eligio Ancona Medal and the Yucatán Medal from the government of the state of Yucatán, the Enrique Díaz de León Medal from the University of Guadalajara recognizing its top graduates and the Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award from UCSB.

“Literature and life flow into each other

seamlessly,” she said. “Reading isn’t just academic; it’s profoundly personal. Books accompany us, teach us, and reflect our experiences. That kind of literature matters most.”

As Poot Herrera continues to organize conferences, mentor emerging scholars and publish research, Sor Juana remains a consistent touchstone for her broader vision of inclusive and collaborative scholarship.

“Sor Juana built intellectual bridges despite considerable constraints,” Poot Herrera concluded. “We must continue her legacy, using literature, education, and thoughtful scholarship to build inclusive communities that transcend boundaries and unite people.”

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

Commerative Tree Plaques

A great gift to honor someone special or remember a special occasion. Learn more at SBbeautiful.org

Photo by Jeff Liang

UCSB Distinguished Professor Sara Poot Herrera

Confetti is litter.

Confetti is harmful to our environment, and difficult and expensive to clean up.

Shiny metallic confetti, sequins, and glitter are all made of plastic, which is not biodegradable and is often mistaken for food by birds and animals.

Confetti can quickly wash or blow into our storm drains, creeks, and ocean, where it poses a threat to aquatic life.

Help keep Santa Barbara clean and beautiful. Choose paper confetti and use it sparingly.

El Desfile Histórico

Friday, August 1 at 12 noon

Cabrillo Boulevard Between Castillo and Calle Cesar Chavez Old Spanish Days invites