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Fiesta Stabbing Raises Questions by Callie Fausey

AUG. 14-21, 2025 VOL. 39 NO. 2021

An American Journey My Family’s Story of Immigrating to Santa Barbara by Oscar Gutierrez

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Molly Tuttle, Dec 7 Víkingur Ólafsson, Oct 22

Itzhak Perlman, Oct 30

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View the full 2025-2026 lineup at ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu INDEPENDENT.COM AUGUST 14, 2025 THE INDEPENDENT

SUMMER

AT THE

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Sea of Ice: Echoes of the European Romantic Era

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TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: Elliott Hundley, Tiered Sounds (detail), 2017. Paper, oil, fabric, pins, plastic, glass, shells, lotus pods, metal, foam, and linen on panel. Private collection. Kalachakra Embracing Consort Vishvamata, based on the Secret Biography of the 7th Dalai Lama Central Tibet (detail), 18th-19th century. Opaque watercolor on cotton. Gift of F. Bailey Vanderhoef, Jr. 1991.148.79. James Casebere, Sea of Ice (detail), 2014. Pigment print. SBMA, Museum purchase with funds provided by the Erik Skipsey Fund, 2019.15. LEFT: Claude Monet, The Water Lily Pond (Clouds), 1903. Oil on canvas. Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., bequest of Mrs. Eugene McDermott in honor of Nancy Hamon, 2019.67.13.McD. RIGHT: Henri Matisse, Pont Saint-Michel, 1901. Oil on canvas. Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Bequest of Wright S. Ludington, 1993.1.5 © 2025 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Print subscriptions are available, paid in advance, for $120 per year. Send subscription requests with name and address to subscriptions@independent.com. The contents of the Independent are copyrighted 2023 by the Santa Barbara Independent, Inc. No part may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned. The Independent is available on the internet at independent.com. Press run of the Independent is 25,000 copies. Audited certification of circulation is available on request. The Independent is a legal adjudicated newspaper — court decree no. 157386. Contact information: 1715 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 PHONE (805) 965-5205; FAX (805) 965-5518 EMAIL news@independent.com, letters@independent.com, advertising@independent.com Staff email addresses can be found at independent.com/about-us

TABLE of CONTENTS Volume 39 # 2021, Aug. 14-21, 2025

COVER STORY

An American Journey

My Family’s Story of Immigrating to Santa Barbara by Oscar Gutierrez

NEWS....................................................................9 OPINIONS........................................................18 Angry Poodle Barbecue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Voices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

OBITUARIES................................................ 20 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

THE WEEK......................................................31 ARTS LIFE.......................................................35 LIVING...............................................................40 FOOD & DRINK......................................... 42 Restaurant Guy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

ASTROLOGY................................................48 CLASSIFIEDS..............................................49 ON THE COVER: Photos courtesy Oscar Gutierrez. Design by Xavier Pereyra.

‘AU REVOIR’ TO OUR DESIGN MASTER AVA It takes a lot of work to put together our print publication, and we have an entire team who works hard to design it all and send it off for printing. This week, we say goodbye to one of those team members, Ava Talehakimi, who is taking the next steps in her career to become a therapist.

COURTESY

Editor in Chief Marianne Partridge Publisher Brandi Rivera Executive Editor Nick Welsh Senior Editor Tyler Hayden Senior Writer Matt Kettmann Associate Editor Jackson Friedman Opinions Editor Jean Yamamura Arts, Culture, and Community Editor Leslie Dinaberg Calendar Editor Terry Ortega News Reporters Ryan P. Cruz, Callie Fausey, Ella Heydenfeldt Senior Arts Writer Josef Woodard Mickey Flacks Fund Fellow Christina McDermott Copy Chief Tessa Reeg Copy Editor Nathan Vived Sports Editor Victor Bryant Web Content Manager Don Brubaker Social Media Coordinator Maya Johnson Food Writer George Yatchisin Travel Writers Macduff Everton, Mary Heebner Production Manager Ava Talehakimi Art Director Xavier Pereyra Production Designer Bianca Castro Graphic Designers Leah Brewer, Diego Melgoza Columnists Dennis Allen, Gail Arnold, Sara Caputo, Christine S. Cowles, Laura Gransberry, Betsy J. Green, Shannon Kelley, Austin Lampson, Melinda Palacio, Cheri Rae, Hugh Ranson, Amy Ramos, Starshine Roshell Contributors Ingrid Bostrom, Rob Brezsny, Cynthia Carbone Ward, Ben Ciccati, Cheryl Crabtree, John Dickson, Roger Durling, Camille Garcia, Chuck Graham, Keith Hamm, Rebecca Horrigan, Gareth Kelly, Kevin McKiernan, Zoë Schiffer, David Starkey, Ethan Stewart, Brian Tanguay, Tom Tomorrow, Kevin Tran, Jatila Van der Veen, Isabelle Walker, Maggie Yates, John Zant Director of Advertising Sarah Sinclair Marketing and Promotions Administrator Richelle Boyd Advertising Representatives Suzanne Cloutier, Bryce Eller, Ariana Hugo, Tonea Songer, Scott Maio Digital Marketing Specialist Graham Brown Business Operations and Accounting Manager Erin Lynch Office Manager/Legal Advertising Tanya Spears Guiliacci Distribution Gregory Hall Interns Ella Bailey, Alice Dehghanzadeh, Hailey Edmonds, Vince Grafton, Nataschia Hadley, Elaine Sanders, Madeline Slogoff, Tia Trinh Columnist Emeritus Barney Brantingham Photography Editor Emeritus Paul Wellman Founding Staff Emeriti George Delmerico, Richard Evans, Camille Cimini Fruin, Laszlo Hodosy, Scott Kaufman Honorary Consigliere Gary J. Hill Indy Kids Bella and Max Brown; Elijah Lee, Amaya Nicole, and William Gene Bryant; Henry and John Poett Campbell; Emilia Imojean Friedman; Rowan Gould; Finley James Hayden; Ivy Danielle Ireland; Madeline Rose and Mason Carrington Kettmann

How long have you been with the Indy, and what is one of your favorite memories from working here? I have been working at the Indy for the past seven years — four years as the production designer and three years as the production manager — which is wild to write out Ava as Storke Tower for Indy Halloween and reflect on. It’s hard to pin down a favorite memory, but a notable one is winning second place in our annual Halloween costume contest for my Storke Tower costume in 2019. What will you be pursuing now? I’m making a pivot in my career to follow what I’ve always wanted to do, which is to work in the mental health field as a therapist. I will still be doing freelance graphic design on the side; I’ve been working with Adobe InDesign for the past 14 years, and I’m not ready to stop. What are you most looking forward to at your new position? Oh, there are so many things! But primarily, I look forward to getting to work with my clients to support them in meeting their goals and to doing what I can to uplift my community. I feel so privileged to get to work so closely with others. Thankfully my new job is in S.B., so I get to stay in our beautiful town for longer! What are you going to miss most about the Indy? Definitely the people. I am so grateful to have gotten to work collaboratively with so many amazing colleagues who are so good at what they do and care so much about the community! Read more at independent.com/abouttheindy.

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AUGUST 14, 2025

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AUG. 7-14, 2025

NEWS of the WEEK

by RYAN P. CRUZ, CALLIE FAUSEY, JACKSON FRIEDMAN, TYLER HAYDEN, ELLA HEYDENFELDT, CHRISTINA McDERMOTT, NICK WELSH, and JEAN YAMAMURA

COURTS & CRIME

Fiesta Stabbing Raises Questions C A L L I E FAU S E Y

Why Was Murder Suspect out on Bail at Time of Killing, and Could Victim Have Been Saved?

The stabbing occurred just after midnight on Friday, August 1, near Baja Sharkeez on the 500 block of State Street, which is where a sidewalk memorial for victim Anthony Bisquera Hartley was established.

by Callie Fausey he fatal stabbing over Fiesta weekend has the community raising questions. Anthony Bisquera Hartley, 30, lost his life in the incident, which occurred just after midnight on Friday, August 1. His family described him as a goofy and easygoing guy, and a devout father of his three young children, ages 5, 8, and 10. In a recent statement, his mother, Karen Bisquera, and his siblings said they are trying to “piece together the events surrounding the untimely end of his life.” They emphasized that he was not a gang member and was never involved in gang activity, unlike the two men being charged with his murder. A sidewalk memorial featuring flowers, beers, and candles was created for him where the stabbing occurred downtown, next to Baja Sharkeez. However, the family clarified he did not die on the street, but after he was “finally given support and taken to the hospital, where several medical professionals worked tirelessly to revive his life.” “We remain in shock and are deeply grieving while we plan for the memorial service he rightly deserves,” the family wrote. “Anthony deserves peace.” As a family, they added, “we need peace, and we will need justice.” Inquiries and allegations are now circu-

lating around the community: How many officers were stationed on the lower blocks of State Street? How quickly did they respond? Was it enough? Was Bisquera Hartley given proper and timely medical attention? Could he have been saved? And, perhaps most strikingly, why was murder suspect Juan Fernando Rios out on bail for a separate offense when he has a criminal record of violent felonies? According to court records, Rios, 28, previously faced charges in connection to two other felony stabbings, one in 2018 and one in 2013. The 2018 incident was on the 600 block of State Street, a street down from the recent stabbing on the 500 block. In connection to the recent incident, Rios’s charges include committing the crime while he was out on bail for a separate felony offense. He is being charged alongside 30-year-old Sergio Rivas and 29-year-old Luis Gerado Terrazas. Rivas faces the most charges, including the murder of Bisquera Hartley, while Terrazas is being charged with the attempted murder of Rivas. All three are accused of committing the crimes to benefit a criminal street gang. District Attorney John Savrnoch’s announcement of the charges mentioned a July 26 arrest, for which Rios faces charges

including driving under the influence, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a loaded firearm in public. Given his probationary status on a prior stabbing felony, he was barred from possessing a handgun, let alone walking around with one. He is also a registered gang member. As to how a high-risk individual could be released on bail: It is a judicial decision, based on the court’s bail schedule amounts, and often does not take into account the full risk picture, court sources told the Independent. Some people who commit only minor offenses often struggle to post bail. But it is not always easy to keep higher-risk people behind bars when they can afford to get out. Rios was able to secure a bail bond to post bail for $35,000. He is currently in custody with a bail set at $2.4 million. Rios bailed out the same day he was arrested on July 26, and the DUI and weapons case was scheduled for a September court hearing, Savrnoch told the Independent. When asked why Rios—considering his background of prior convictions in violent crimes—was allowed to post bail, Savrnoch said, “The issue is: I can’t react to that which I don’t know exists.” Before Rios walked, authorities apparently were not able complete a pretrial risk assessment, which could have informed them on his likelihood to commit another crime or fail to appear in court—as he did in another, separate misdemeanor DUI case from March. The judge issued a bench warrant against Rios for failing to appear that was active until he was arrested on the new murder case, according to court records. These past two stabbings on the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street were not isolated incidents, either. Prior to this year’s Fiesta, the most recent State Street stabbing appears to have been in March 2023, again on the 500 block. Both reportedly began as fights that escalated. That’s led people to question whether there were enough first responders present on that block during the city’s busiest block party this year, considering its history. Cell phone videos have circulated on social media showing parts of the fight and its aftermath. People can be seen yelling to responders to help victims. In one, officers can be seen applying pressure to a victim’s torso while people point and yell, “He’s wounded!” or ask where an ambulance is. Other witnesses and community members have taken to social media to criticize the speed of the police department’s response, particularly in aiding the bleeding victims. While the two other victims who were injured in the stabbing are expected to make a full recovery, some claim that Bisquera Hartley was essentially allowed to “bleed out.” CONT’D ON PAGE 15

For the latest news and longer versions of many of these stories, visit independent.com/news.

NEWS BRIEFS COURTS & CRIME

The City of Carpinteria be the latest California city to join in the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit against the federal government, which alleges that federal immigration enforcement tactics are unconstitutional and people have been targeted based solely on their skin color, arrested without warrants, and denied access to legal counsel. Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, and Oxnard are among more than 20 cities to join the ACLU lawsuit as of 8/8. There is currently a court-issued temporary restraining order restricting federal agencies from stopping individuals based on race, which language they speak, or whether they are at a particular targeted location. The Central District Court is expected to hold a preliminary injunction hearing on 9/24. A county judge has denied a group of Isla Vista landlords’ preliminary injunction to stop the I.V. Rental Inspection program. The group, going by the name Isla Vista Rental Property Owners Association, filed a case against the county on 6/26, alleging that the county’s rental inspection program violates state laws and Fourth Amendment rights. The program, which was passed via a local ordinance last spring, requires landlords to register their property with the county for possible inspection and allows the county to inspect units. It comes after longtime reports and observations of unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the area. The county has denied these accusations and said they have no basis in law or fact. A county judge has ruled in favor of the City of Solvang and Joshua J. Richman, the owner and developer of the builder’s remedy housing project known as Wildwood, in a lawsuit brought against them. The S.Y. Valley Residents Association of California took legal action against Solvang and Richman in March, claiming that the city had improperly deemed the project’s application complete. It also alleged that the developer, Richman, had failed to complete the preliminary application for the Wildwood project, because he had not included the signatures from the owners of an easement on the property — the HOA from a nearby gated community. On 8/5, the court tentatively ruled that S.Y. Valley Residents Association had filed its complaint prematurely, and challenges would need to be raised when the project had final approval.

PUBLIC SAFETY A 36-year-old Santa Ynez man was killed 8/10 in a solo motorcycle crash on Canada Este Road in the Santa Ynez Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol. The rider, identified by the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office as Christopher Stewart, was traveling northbound on a 2016 Harley-Davidson just after 5:30 p.m. when the motorcycle ran off the west side of the roadway and struck a tree, CHP officials said. Stewart, the sole rider, sustained fatal injuries at the scene. The cause remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Buellton CHP office at (805) 691-6160. CONT’D ON PAGE 12

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AUG. 7-14, 2025

COURTS & CRIME

Elderly Woman Nearly Scammed Out of $30K

he Santa Barbara County Sheriff ’s Office thwarted an elaborate phone scam targeting a 77-year-old woman in Goleta who was nearly scammed out of $30,000 on Monday, August 4. The Goleta resident had received a call from a person pretending to be from Amazon. The caller, who claimed there were unauthorized charges and fake bank accounts in the victim’s name, transferred her to a supposed Federal Trade Commission agent, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff ’s Office. The “agent” then instructed her to withdraw $30,000 in cash from her bank. The scammer stayed on the phone, coaching the victim on how to deceive bank tellers, and demanding photos of the cash, receipts, and a sealed box containing the money. Becoming suspicious due to misspellings in an email from the “agent,” the victim contacted the Sheriff ’s Office while still on the call with the scammer. In a coordinated operation, deputies and detectives observed

a woman, later identified as Caihong Lei, waiting near the victim’s home near the 500 block of Pine Avenue in Goleta. They arrested her after she retrieved the box of money, the Sheriff ’s Office stated. Officers then helped the victim return the money to her bank account. Lei was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of grand theft by false pretense and conspiracy to commit fraud. A judge set her bail at $500,000. The Criminal Investigations Division is currently investigating whether Lei is connected to a larger scam network, said the Sheriff ’s Office. Lei faces a felony complaint filed by the District Attorney’s office that alleges a conspiracy to commit theft from an elderly adult, misrepresented themselves as employees of the Federal Trade Commission, sending a fraudulent document about a fake money laundering investigation, and taking a package from the victim’s property. Lei is also charged with misdemeanor —Vince Grafton prowling.

COURTS & CRIME

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Adam Escarcega’s March arrest in a Hollister Avenue parking lot was livestreamed on YouTube by an online vigilante group that goes by the name CC Unit, or Creep Catchers Unit.

former Santa Barbara teaching assistant pleaded guilty this week to one felony count of contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense. Adam Escarcega, 34, will be sentenced September 17 and faces up to one year in jail. Escarcega was employed at Adams Elementary School at the time of his arrest in March. He has since been terminated. He also previously worked at the Santa Barbara City College theater department as a stage manager. Escarcega’s arrest in a Hollister Avenue parking lot was livestreamed on YouTube by an online vigilante group that goes by the name CC Unit, or Creep Catchers Unit. The San Diego group’s leader, Ghost, said the CC Unit had posed as a 15-year-old boy

on an online dating site when they were contacted by Escarcega. Ghost shared copies of their explicit conversation with authorities, who, after conducting their own investigation, determined there was enough evidence to charge Escarcega. Since 2018, Ghost claimed, the CC Unit’s sting operations have led to “hundreds” of arrests and convictions. “It is devastating to learn that an employee trusted with students would have an intent to cause any type of harm either in or outside the classroom,” said Kelly Fresch, principal of Adams Elementary School, in an email to parents. “Our schools must be safe learning spaces for our children.” —Tyler Hayden

COMMUNITY

NEWS of the WEEK CONT’D

Clean Slate for La Casa?

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CO U R T E S Y

Nonprofit Plans to Acquire Building, Restore Services

by Ryan P. Cruz

he original La Casa da la Raza nonprofit organization, which has been unable to operate for the past four years due to an involuntary bankruptcy case, announced that it would be looking to restore services as the complex court case nears its resolution — marking the next chapter for La Casa, a vital resource for Santa Barbara’s Latino community since its founding in 1971. La Casa de la Raza’s official nonprofit organization had been tied up in an involuntary bankruptcy case dating back to summer 2021, when the courts appointed a trustee over the property and operations were paused while the case was worked out. At the time, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, La Casa provided meals, financial support, eviction protection, and mental health services to lowincome community members on the Eastside. “The difficulties, imposed by others, eventually led to an involuntary bankruptcy that resulted in the nonprofit having to leave its long-time Santa Barbara home at 601 East Montecito Street,” said La Casa de la Raza Board President Lisa Valencia Sherratt. In its absence, a legally unaffiliated group — known as La Casa Founders Holding Company or the Restorative Justice Education Center—took over the space to provide similar services to those that were cut off during the bankruptcy case. That second group has operated out of the historical building since, running a food pantry and providing support to families affected by the aggressive increase in immigration enforcement. For the past several years, boardmembers representing the original La Casa de la Raza organization — Valencia Sherratt, Ana Rosa Rizo-Centino, Pete Leyva, and Ismael Huerta — have been working behind the scenes to resolve the legal matters and restore the nonprofit’s operational status.

Earlier this year, the group gained a win after Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Colleen Sterne ruled that La Casa de la Raza was once again in good standing with all state and federal agencies. This ruling allowed the nonprofit to accept a $130,000 gift from the trust of philanthropists Mischa and Brigitte Seligman to allow the organization to rise from the ashes and bring La Casa “back to its historical presence,” Valencia Sherratt said. “We are excited to begin this new chapter for La Casa de la Raza and the community, and so grateful to the Seligmans for entrusting us with their legacy, which is literally giving us wings to launch again,” Valencia Sherratt said. “The past few years have been difficult and confusing, to say the least, but we’ve never given up hope and we never gave up our dedication to the community.” The building itself was also tied up in bankruptcy, though after a court settlement was reached in July, it was officially cleared to be listed for sale at an asking price of $4.35 million. In May 2025, the building was red-tagged after city inspectors found multiple code violations and declared the property “unsafe to occupy.” Following a second inspection in July, the city reopened access to the building and allowed the group running services inside to operate in limited areas. Now, the advisory board representing the original La Casa de la Raza nonprofit is working to purchase and preserve the building at 601 East Montecito Street. The goal, according to boardmembers, is to complete the sale, finalize all legal proceedings, and restart La Casa with a clean slate, beginning with a reimagined Family Resource Center. Current plans are to reopen the resource center under Director Marisol Ortiz, and to take a careful approach to avoid the many struggles La Casa has experienced in the past. “Just like all of the current volunteers and supporters pouring in their good will

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WILDFIRE

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Stay Alert on Air Quality

Most of the smoke from the Gifford Fire has been visible but not felt on the ground.

s the Gifford Fire spreads, firefighters in Santa Barbara County have described ash floating through the air, plumes of smoke, and hazy, orange-hued skies. As of Wednesday morning, the fire had scorched more than 125,272 acres and was 37 percent contained. Surprisingly, however, the air in the county has remained relatively clean. According to the Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) Air Quality Index, as of Wednesday, most areas in Santa Barbara County have stayed green and yellow—green indicating “safe” and yellow “moderate” air quality, which is only unsafe for people who may be unusually sensitive to particulate pollution. Lyz Bantilan with the APCD, which documents air quality using monitoring stations around the county, said that the smoke from the fire has been mostly staying aloft. Although the smoke is visible, it is not felt on the ground. Forecasters expect smoke to continue to stay up high with no real ground impacts, Bantilan said, and they expect stronger winds and greater dispersions of the smoke at night in coming days and weeks. However, an Air Quality Alert for the Cuyama Area and Air Quality Watch for the rest of the county are in place because of how

quickly conditions can change. Anecdotally, some people have reported effects like dry mouth and coughing. Bantilan encourages residents to keep track of the overall air quality using online resources such as the APCD’s Air Quality Index. People with respiratory conditions can wear N95 masks if they must go out in the smokey air, but staying inside is “the best protection,” she said. Residents can also visit the APCD’s website for useful tools to create “clean air rooms” and other tips to breathe safely. Respiratory effects of fire, smoke, and ash are known to contribute to short-term negative health impacts and even fatalities. One study of this year’s Los Angeles fires found that at least 400 additional, indirect deaths can likely be attributed to the blazes due in part to poor air quality exacerbating lung and heart conditions. Another recent study also found a correlation between exposure to wildfire smoke and diagnoses of dementia later in life. And because fires are only becoming more frequent, the California Air Resources Board is examining the health impacts of short-term repeated exposure to wildfire smoke. Results of the four-year study are expected to be released next year. —Callie Fausey

NEWS BRIEFS CONT’D FROM P. 9 COMMUNITY The Santa Barbara Reading Coalition has received fiscal sponsorship from the Santa Barbara Foundation, a move coalition leaders say will strengthen their push for improved literacy in local public schools. The partnership will also support a new series of public literacy events, the first of which will be held 10/18, 2-4 p.m., at the Central Library’s Faulkner Gallery. The program will feature Todd Collins, founder of the California Reading Coalition and a former Palo Alto school board trustee, along with Congressmember Salud Carbajal. Future events will be held quarterly, with updates available at sbreads.org.

INFRASTRUCTURE The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and Santa Barbara County are closer to delivering high-speed, reliable internet to rural communities. On August 6, both the association and county announced in a press release that they had completed an environmental impact report for proposed lastmile broadband installations throughout the county. Additionally, the release says they finalized designs for priority areas, including Guadalupe, Cuyama and New Cuyama, Casmalia, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Jonata Park, Refugio Canyon, areas east of Santa Maria, and the West Highway 246 corridor. SBCAG and the county do not yet have funding to build this infrastructure and said future work would depend on funding opportunities. n 12

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ENVIRONMENT

NEWS of the WEEK CONT’D

L AS CUMBRES OBSERVATORY PRESENTS

Los Padres Wilderness?

ASTRONOMY TALK SERIES

oversees the National Forest Service. The USDA announcement makes claims of “overspending” and “mismanagement” within the department, creating what Rollins called a “bloated, expensive, and unsustainable organization.” The announcement comes on the heels of 15,364 employees leaving the USDA’s workforce by voluntarily taking early retirements, and thousands of Forest Service employees being invol-

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Carbajal Seeks Highest Federal Protections for Public Land

Joined by Supervisor Laura Capps, Congressmember Salud Carbajal held a press conference last Wednesday to announce his new bill that would protect more than 280,000 acres of wilderness in Santa Barbara County.

by Callie Fausey anta Barbara Congressmember Salud Carbajal is seeking to protect swaths of the local environment, even as the current administration actively dismantles environmental guardrails. Legally designating land as “wilderness” grants it the highest level of federal protections, Carbajal explained at a press conference last Wednesday. His bill aims to slap that label across more than 280,000 acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument to grant them a legislative shield against anything that may interfere with their cultural, ecological, or historical resources and values. Called the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, the bill would also designate a 400-mile Condor National Recreation Trail, stretching from Los Angeles to Monterey County, for preservation and public enjoyment. Carbajal said he was spurred into action by federal attacks against established environmental protections. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is taking shears to multiple rules and regulations she’s deemed as “overly restrictive” and “cumbersome”—particularly to timber and other industries that are friendly with the Trump administration. It’s a slew of “re-”s. For starters, she’s attempting to rescind a rule that protects 58 million acres of National Forests’ wildest, undeveloped, roadless areas (the “Roadless Rule”). The rule is under threat due to Rollins’s outspoken support of clearing forests for development, domestic timber production, and fighting fires, but Carbajal’s bill would provide permanent protection regardless. Rollins is also greatly reducing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and consider alternatives before making decisions—preventing them from simply steamrolling any land and wildlife standing in their way. Additionally, she recently announced plans to “reorganize” the USDA, which

untarily laid off. Rollins’s reorganization and consolidation—exempting front-line, national security, and public safety positions (such as firefighters)—includes the phasing out of the Forest Service’s nine Regional Offices and stand-alone research stations over the next year. Los Padres National Forest is in Region 5, the Pacific Southwest. Concerns linger over how this ends for the country’s national forests and parks. The nonprofit Los Padres ForestWatch is worried about the impact of losing more local staff and ecological expertise, especially with the dismantling of the service’s Regional Offices, which provide oversight and support to individual ranger districts. However, all individual, place-based ranger districts will remain open and staffed, as well as the Los Padres Supervisor’s Office in Solvang. Although the impacts of the regional closures are uncertain as of now, the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, which includes past Los Padres supervisors, wrote a letter to the USDA, saying, “We do not see anything in the proposal that would improve services or efficiency. Rather, it appears to simply cut staffing and funding without describing how the work will continue to get done. It provides the classic direction to do more with less.” Congressionally speaking, it’s a bleak time for Carbajal to be reintroducing his bill— which has passed in the House five times previously but made it no further—but he still spoke optimistically about garnering bipartisan support. According to a recent article by Reuters, bipartisan support for protecting public lands and keeping them open is at an all-time high, despite federal actions suggesting the opposite. Carbajal also noted that the outdoor recreation economy is worth more than $70 billion today. “These attacks on our public lands are heartbreaking, but now is not the time to give up,” Carbajal said. “Like many of you, I’m angry and I’m disappointed, but I’m also more determined than ever before to get this bill over the finish line so we can protect the Central Coast’s natural treasures for our kids, grandkids, and future generations.” n INDEPENDENT.COM AUGUST 14, 2025 THE INDEPENDENT

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FIESTA STABBING CONT’D FROM P. 9

NEWS of the WEEK CONT’D

Labor Summer

Anthony Bisquera Hartley (left), the murder victim of the State Street stabbings over Fiesta weekend, leaves behind a large family.

At the time of the report, “officers were already in the process of assisting an intoxicated subject in front of Joe’s, but immediately broke away when a witness started yelling that someone had a knife, while pointing farther down the block,” said Charles Katsapis, community accountability commander for the Santa Barbara Police Department. He said the first officers reached the victims in less than a minute after being alerted. There were six officers on foot patrol for the 400-600 blocks of State Street, six more were elsewhere on State Street, and two more specially assigned because it was Fiesta, he said. “We maintain a high level of visual presence of uniformed officers on State Street, especially during peak hours during Fiesta,” he said. “Bystanders didn’t see lights and sirens from responding officers because they were all on foot patrol.” He added that officers “immediately applied direct pressure” to the three victims’ bleeding stab wounds and “coordinated triage between victims while relaying critical information to incoming paramedics and firefighters.” He said Santa Barbara Fire and AMR arrived and took over within three minutes of the initial call. The first AMR unit on scene had to declare a MultiCasualty Incident (MCI), enacted when the number of patients exceeds EMS personnel on scene. Despite stabbings reported on the same blocks in previous years, when asked about

the frequency of violent crimes in the area, he said, “While the lower State Street entertainment corridor can attract large crowds and occasionally generate disturbance calls, violent assaults such as stabbings are rare. Incidents of this magnitude are not common, and each case is thoroughly investigated to identify suspects, determine motives, and prevent retaliatory acts.” “We understand that tragedies like this create fear, frustration, and sometimes misinformation in the community,” he continued. “This was a chaotic scene, with hundreds of people on State Street during a busy Fiesta night, requiring officers to make split-second decisions while working to protect lives, secure the area, and ensure public safety under extremely challenging circumstances.” Ultimately, still, a family is left without a “father, son, brother, cousin, grandson,” as their statement read. Their GoFundMe is still active and taking donations, and after covering Bisquera Hartley’s funeral expenses, it will be used to help take care of his three children. “Anthony’s three young ones who have four generations to envelop them with love,” the family said. The three men being charged in connection with the case entered pleas of not guilty on August 8. The first preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for August 19.

Nick Welsh contributed reporting to this story.

LA CASA CONT’D FROM P. 11 to La Casa de la Raza now, we never went away; we’re still here, and we never gave up,” Valencia Sherratt said. “We thank everyone who has been keeping the building alive since we haven’t been able to be there in recent years, and we’ll keep going with others who uphold the true essence of the original La Casa de la Raza for as long as it takes to honor our elders and ancestors who set all of this in motion many years ago, as the house of the people for generations to come.” Meanwhile, until a sale or formal plans are announced, the daily services at 601 East Montecito Street will continue running with a small crew led by Jaqueline Inda of the Restorative Justice Education Center. With a group of volunteers, Inda has kept the doors open and the community services available

during the dark days of the bankruptcy; she said she promised to shepherd the aging historical landmark to its next chapter — a task that has taken a lot of time, money, and love. She says services will continue to operate every day, and although the future is uncertain, she is hopeful that the clean slate could mean a new life for a building that has been part of the city’s Latino community for decades. “The Restorative Justice Education Center is going to continue its work,” Inda said. “Our promise was to keep the place open while the two organizations came to some kind of final iteration of this process. In the meantime, we furnished it, rehabbed it, and we’ll continue to do the food pantry, case management, and legal support for the community as we always have.” n

by Ryan P. Cruz or the third year in a row, UC Santa Barbara students participated in “Labor Summer,” a program that gives a group of students on-the-ground experience in labor organizing, planning rallies, and advocating for workers in a wide range of industries on the Central Coast. UCSB’s Community Labor Center started the Labor Summer program in 2023, placing 11 students with labor unions This year’s Labor Summer cohort of 14 students celebrate the final day of such as United Farm Work- the program with faculty and Senator Monique Limón. ers (UFW), United Domestic Workers of America (UDW), and local chapters representing public sector place raids, and ICE detainments at court employers. This year, 14 students participated hearings that have made it more difficult to in the program, interning at a diverse range organize workers. of groups, including United Auto Workers, It’s also led to some scary situations. One Greenpeace, Central Coast Labor Council, occurred when Alvarez was escorting a farmcommunity organizations such as CAUSE worker to a court hearing and was pulled over and MICOP, and unions representing nurses, by three unmarked vehicles. Although she public employees, and food workers. did everything “by the book,” she says the Run by Labor Center Executive Director encounter ended with an ICE officer sticking Carmen Rhodes, Academic Coordinator his hand inside the window to get in and take Fabienne Doiron, and Faculty Director Ralph the person out. Armbruster-Sandoval, the program aims to She says she’s been inspired by the workers’ create a pipeline for students interested in resilience in the face of the fear: “To them, it’s labor organizing, and to “cultivate the next normal,” Alvarez said. “It’s the sacrifice they generation of labor leaders,” Armbruster- make for their kids.” Sandoval said. “They are so extremely humble, so lovOver the past three years, eight Labor ing, and they have such faith that things will Center students have interned with the UFW, work out,” she continued. “And they only a farmworker union that has become espe- want the bare minimum; they want what cially important in the current political cli- they deserve.” mate, with targeted immigration operations Though concerned about the upcoming occurring more frequently on agricultural harvesting seasons, Alvarez is hopeful that sites across the state. the farmworkers can continue organizing Jenny Alvarez completed the Labor Sum- and that the public will change its views about mer program as an undergraduate in last the agricultural industry. “People should give themselves the opporyear’s cohort. After interning with UFW last summer, she was hired as an organizer tunity to understand what the average farmthis year. Though she had spent most of her worker goes through,” she said. “Be conscious Oxnard childhood driving past the fields about the choices you make in the store. It’s going to and from school, it was as an orga- not just fruit. It’s dairy, meat, it’s everything nizer that her eyes opened to the reality of that we eat, and a lot of people don’t realize.” the workers. Axel Valencia-Alvarez, a fourth-year “Hearing testimonies from farmworkers Chicano Studies major who is part of this who, for decades, have worked twice as hard year’s Labor Summer cohort — and one of as the average American,” Alvarez said, “and two UCSB students working with the UFW can still barely scrape by… . Labor Summer over the summer — said it was a life-changing really … changed my heart. Now I don’t see experience to work closely with farmworkers. UFW has adapted to the current climate, things in the grocery store the same way.” In 2024, she helped farmworkers enroll in he said, holding meetings in workers’ houses the Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement and helping families prepare for potential (DALE) program, which grants temporary immigration issues by creating a “family protective status for undocumented workers plan” to cover legal questions of child cuswho experience labor violations. At the time, tody and power of attorney should a parent two workers had died on the job, including be deported. “It’s not easy having those conone where workers were forced to continue versations,” he said. “We live in a really divisive, polarized sociworking around the body of a coworker who ety right now, and they’ve seen their rights was killed by a farm truck. The UFW helped more than 50 workers taken away,” he said. “So, for us as organizers, enroll for the protective status, something we’ve just been encouraging the workers to Alvarez said is important given the indis- mobilize, and creating some hope and resilcriminate immigration enforcement, work- ience in the world.” n INDEPENDENT.COM AUGUST 14, 2025 THE INDEPENDENT

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‘Such Strong Parallels’ C H R I S TO P H E R S T I L L I A N S

Survivor of Montecito’s 2018 Debris Flows Offers Words of Support for Texas Flood Victims she said, ‘I felt like I was in a washing machine,’ ” Cantin continued. “And I’m like, ‘I know what that feels like.’ ” On January 9, 2018, Cantin woke up alone, half-buried in a pile of mud, boulders, and other debris that destroyed her Montecito home and swept her away from her family. The mudslides hit suddenly in the middle of the night. The family had tried to escape with their dog, but they were all separated on impact. Cantin’s daughter, Lauren, was miraculously found buried alive by search and rescue teams. However, the tragedy took the lives of 23 others, including her husband, Dave, and teenage son, Jack. Jack Cantin was only 17 at the time and would have turned 24 this year. For three years following the tragedy, Cantin searched for her son’s remains. “We found enough for me to have some semblance of closure,” she said. “I feel for all the folks in Texas who are suffering waiting for their loved ones to be found.” In a July 31 hearing held by Texas lawmakers in the city of Kerrville, one woman testified that her daughter was not identified until July 10. Even then, it was only by her charm bracelet. “We need to pray for and support those folks,” Cantin said. Cantin’s life pivoted dramatically Kim Cantin is a survivor of the 2018 debris flows that destroyed Montecito neighborhoods and resulted in the after the mudslides, and her and deaths of 23 people, including her husband and their son. her daughter’s path to healing has spanned the last seven years. It’s a path by Callie Fausey that many survivors in Texas will now be walking. hen Kim Cantin heard about the floods that decimated “I was a type A person, didn’t ask for help,” Cantin recalled. the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July “I was fileted open, and I had to be vulnerable and accept the weekend, it was “just so déjà vu,” she said. help. And by doing so, that was healing.” A survivor of the 2018 debris flows in Montecito, She retired from her executive-level job, wrote a memoir, Cantin is all too familiar with tales of trauma and grief. Just and now does public speaking engagements on how to move recently, she and her daughter, Lauren, shared their story forward after suffering from traumatic loss. on NBC’s new series Survival Mode, which delves into true “I really invested heavily over the past seven years for both accounts of catastrophic disasters as told by the people who me and my daughter to get the help we need … not just saying ‘I’ll deal with it tomorrow,’ ” she said. “No, because I want to be lived through them. In the Cantins’ episode, they recount the harrowing experi- a great mom. There’s a lot of life to live.” ence that changed their lives and the entire city of Montecito forever. “We speak honestly about the loss of my beloved husband, After hearing Cantin’s story, complete strangers were reaching Dave; and our sweet son, Jack; and Lauren’s incredible survival out to help her, she recounted. The way the community—such and rescue after being buried under the debris,” Cantin said as the Montecito firefighting team and humanitarian orgaof the episode. “We hope that by sharing our journey — one nizations like Direct Relief and the Bucket Brigade—rallied of grief, love, and healing — we can offer strength and hope to around her and other survivors was “tremendously healing.” “There’s just this level of care and compassion that I think others facing their own darkest moments.” Their episode aired on August 4, one month after a similar is really special and unique about Santa Barbara,” she said. tragedy unfolded in Texas. Between Cantin’s story and the “It goes both ways. Give help to those who are immediately tragic accounts coming out of Texas, there are “such strong impacted, but by giving help, I think it can be really meaningparallels,” she told the Independent. ful for people.” On July 4, flood waters in the Guadalupe River rose quickly, Santa Barbara is now extending that compassion to Texas. reaching lethal levels in a matter of hours and gushing down Santa Barbara–based charity Direct Relief has sent millions in the riverbank at mach-10 speeds, wiping out everything in its aid to areas affected by the floodwaters, just as they launched a path. At least 136 people were killed, including dozens of chil- $5.5 million recovery effort in the aftermath of the mudslides. dren, and the search continues for the few still missing. Recov- In the immediate aftermath of the floods, the organization ery efforts are now underway for impacted communities. awarded $250,000 in grant funding to five Texas organiza“They interviewed a woman [who survived the floods], and tions delivering services to impacted communities. It has also

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delivered more than $3 million worth of medical aid — totaling nearly 10,000 pounds—to healthcare providers across Texas. Shipments include essentials such as baby formula, as well as treatments for chronic conditions such as insulin, oral diabetes medications, thyroid treatments, blood thinners, and antidepressants.

NAVIGATING THE AFTERMATH

In the aftermath of natural disasters, there’s often an autopsy into what, when, why, and how things happened, including what decisions were made leading up to it. The Montecito mudslides have become a case study for disaster preparedness and emergency communication in the face of intensifying natural disasters. Evacuation orders were sent out, but a majority of the victims did not live in mandatory evacuation zones, including the Cantins. Many residents in the voluntary warning zone also had evacuation fatigue from the Thomas Fire, which was still two days away from full containment on the night the flows occurred. Additionally, prior to the event, many residents didn’t even know what a “debris flow” was. And when emergency alerts finally went out, it was in the very wee hours when most people were asleep. Similarly, in the case of the flooding in Texas, emergency warnings were sent out at 4:03 in the morning, after the river had already risen 26 feet in less than two hours—making escape from the rising floodwaters a seemingly impossible task for many along the riverbank. But while evacuations were at least attempted before-thefact in Santa Barbara, the nearest weather service office in Texas was down some crucial players in catastrophe prevention, including the warning coordinator meteorologist, who took early retirements in the face of DOGE’s impending severances of such positions.

“

They interviewed a woman [who survived the Texas floods], and she said, “I felt like I was in a washing machine.” And I’m like, “I know what that feels like. —Kim Cantin

The Texas city of Kerrville and wider Kerr County — a known flood-prone area where much of the loss of life occurred—do not have any early outdoor warning systems, such as sirens, as reported by The New York Times. Rural Kerr County couldn’t afford the warning systems they had discussed building in the years past, despite repeated attempts by local officials to secure the needed funding. Since the floods occurred, many have been searching for someone to blame — such as the state of Texas or the Federal Emergency Management Agency — while viewing what happened as an imminent threat that wasn’t taken seriously. The most recent targets of ire are the Kerr County emergency management coordinator, who testified on July 31 that he was sick and asleep when the floods occurred, and the 9-1-1 dispatchers who are accused of not taking early reports of flooding seriously. Last week, Texas state agencies and youth camps began reassessing their emergency management and analyzing their response to the fatal event. When asked if she felt let down by officials in terms of the adequacy of emergency communication and services in the case of the 2018 debris flow, Cantin commended the Montecito fire chief at the time, Kevin Taylor, for proactively investing in resources that were critical for search and rescue efforts. But otherwise, she said, “Our city would benefit from an independent comprehensive post-mortem on what happened correctly and where the mistakes occurred and by whom. It is not about pointing fingers, rather, the responsibility to make sure it doesn’t happen again and more lives are not lost.” n

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Silent Dogs and Reasonable Suspicions CHANGING TIMES: At a certain point, people

stop being who you thought they were. But maybe they never actually were. But then again, maybe you weren’t either. And for the record, people do change. Right now, as we await the next tsunami of mass deportations, I find myself haunted by such after-the-fact reckonings about Sheriff Bill Brown and who he was back when he first ran for that office in 2006. Then, as now, immigration was the hotbutton issue; Congress had just passed a law to build a 750-mile-long border wall and to make the act of crossing the border without proper papers a felony. Most explosively, it would have empowered local law enforcement officers to detain and arrest immigrants for the mere crime of crossing the border. The incumbent in that race, Jim Anderson, was a decent enough guy, but with an unfortunate penchant for putting his foot in his mouth while wearing spiked golf shoes. Just three days before a major “A Day Without Immigrants” rally, he opined how and why he supported that bill. Anderson said he worried about Iraqi and Iranian terrorists

sneaking across the border into the United States. “It’s not like I am proposing that we do massive sweeps and send people back across the border,” he added with uncanny prescience about what, in fact, is happening now. Later, Anderson would sort of backtrack: “It’s just a concept I threw out for discussion.” One of the three challengers in that race was Bill Brown, then the Lompoc police chief whose candidacy was the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass thrown into a hurricane. He pounced on Anderson’s statement the hardest. Brown — a moderate, thoughtful, and almost progressive law-and-order Republican —was then aggressively courting liberal and Democratic voters. “Our job is to protect and serve the whole community,” Brown thundered as only he can thunder when in front of a microphone. “We can’t do that if people are afraid that if they report a crime, we might put them in jail.” To highlight his thinking, Brown would later recount how serial killer Richard Ramirez —the dreaded Night Stalker of Los Angeles — had been stopped, beaten, and detained by a handful of alert barrio residents who, it turned out, were in the country without legal papers. Brown would add, “When I was with the California police chiefs, we wrote a letter to the attorney general saying we thought it was a terrible idea.” The incumbent Anderson would accuse Brown of telling Latino voters in Guadalupe and Santa Maria during Mexican Independence Day parades that he, Anderson, was going to initiate mass arrests and wholesale deportation. Brown denied saying any such things. What I do know is the Independent endorsed Bill Brown. There were lots of reasons. But this issue was a big one. I won’t say our endorsement got Brown elected. But I will say it moved the needle significantly on his behalf. So, where’s that Bill Brown now? 18

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Sheriff Bill Brown

He’s still the sheriff, the longest-serving one in county history. And right now, he’s the President of the Major County Sheriffs of America. That’s a very big hat to wear. As such, he’s met personally with Tom Homan,

Donald Trump’s tough talking border czar. He’s also met with Stephen Miller, Donald Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff and the vocal architect of the administration’s take-no-prisoners, round-up-3,000-immigrants-a-day policy. Is Brown — president of an organization representing sheriffs across this country — sending letters to Homan or Miller saying the military-style maneuvers that we all experienced in Carpinteria was a terrible idea? Or that the roving contact teams participating in “Operation Trojan Horse”—part of what federal officials have described as the largest mass deportation program in history — might drastically damage the trust Latinos, who make up 47 percent of the population in Southern California’s seven counties, have in law enforcement? If he has sent those letters, Brown’s not saying. But spokespeople for Major County Sheriffs did testify in favor of Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which will send $10 billion in funding to various law enforcement programs that are of consequence to Brown and the major sheriffs of America. If Brown were to advocate de-escalation, perhaps he would risk Trump’s wrath. It’s been known to happen. But with leadership comes risk. But what about the community trust Brown spoke of so eloquently in 2006? Or about serving the entire community? What about that “terrible idea”? I bring this up because two weeks ago, 29 local elected officials — from Congressmember Salud Carbajal down to the prover-

AUGUST 14, 2025

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bial dogcatcher — mailed a letter to Brown demanding that he use the bully pulpit afforded him by the Major County Sheriffs of America to call on Trump, Holman, and Miller (the reincarnation of Joseph Goebbels —look him up) to call for restraint. “You are in a unique position to call for the de-escalation of the attack on our immigrant communities,” the 29 signatories wrote. “Hardworking people have been taken into custody at gunpoint by masked agents…. Young children have been left to survive without their parents.” Brown declined to respond to this letter. Admittedly, he might have felt sandbagged. There had been no prior meetings where they might have hashed things out with Brown, none of the usual spade work required for success in the legislative universe. But do we really need a military occupation for a search warrant to be executed, as was purportedly the case with the Carpinteria cannabis greenhouse raid a month ago? Brown’s lack of anything approximating empathy or even professional concern when asked about the impact of these hyperaggressive federal raids on the targeted population — Latinos, people who speak Spanish, people who work in car washes, and people in the parking lots of Home Depot—has been striking. It’s especially so when compared with remarks made by District Attorney John Savrnoch and Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon—high-ranking Santa Barbara law enforcement officials—neither of whom, it should be noted, gave away the store to the rioters whom Brown was so quick to focus on in his statements to the public. But this lack of human concern was most striking when contrasted with the clear and

obvious sensitivity to the county’s Latino population Brown exhibited in 2006. The reality also is that law enforcement agencies can vigorously enforce strict immigration laws without resorting to the goonsquad tactics we have just witnessed. How else are we to describe the cadres of armed, masked men with no name tags, wearing outfits with no insignias identifying which branch of the government they represent, smashing car windows, and taking parents out of their cars in front of children? I like to think that if Brown were still only one good cop representing the voters who put him in office, he’d be showing the world a different face. But now he’s the president of a national law enforcement agency—the pinnacle, perhaps, of his long and accomplished professional career. I think Brown sold out to the people who put the star on his chest so he could better represent the people at the national level who put that big hat on his head. Worse, he sold

out the 47.6 percent of Santa Barbara County’s population over whom “reasonable sus-

picion” exists solely because they’re Latino. And the 40 percent who speak a language other than English in their homes. And the estimated 10 percent who are in the country without legal papers. Worse still, I think Bill Brown sold himself out on this one. I think the real Bill Brown would have spoken out against so egregious a display of force. Or at least he would have acknowledged that it was egregious. I say that because the real Bill Brown already did. And that’s a real tragedy. But then people do change. They’re not who we think they used to be. Maybe they never were. And maybe we’re not, either. — Nick Welsh

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Gaza and Israel Suffer

recent letter-to-the-editor about the Gaza war (“A Preventable Starvation”) buries its essential message—a message that needs to be heard: The people of Gaza face the imminent threat of starvation. It is preventable, and in the name of humanity, the war between Israel and Hamas must end. There are real causes for outrage here, so it is regrettable that the writer, Rand Clark, chose to communicate in a polemical torrent of moral outrage that is deeply polarizing. He divided the world into “us and them” according to his views on the impact of anti-Semitism. (As a member of the mainstream Jewish community, I appear to be a “them” in his book.) Because I am Jewish, October 7 and the Gaza war are personal to me. I have Israeli friends and family. Like all Israelis, their lives have been trauma-filled since October 7. October 7 was a jarring reminder that anti-Semitism is lethal. The fact that some proPalestinian organizations still characterize it as a legitimate act of resistance feels personal to me, too. At the same time, I want to believe in Israel as an aspirational country. It hurts my soul to witness Israel conducting itself with such indefensible brutality toward Gaza’s civilian population. We are all challenged to understand what’s happening in Gaza with clarity and honesty. But in the name of humanity, it should be possible for the Jewish community, and those who identify primarily as pro-Palestinian, to make common cause, whatever our differences. The peoples of Gaza and Israel are suffering, albeit in different ways, and both have been mightily betrayed by their respective leaderships. The war is a plague on both their houses, and —Peter Melnick, S.B. it must end.

Assassination List?

he Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City, with correspondents around the world. According to the latest CPJ report, more journalists have been killed in Gaza than in both world wars, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia, and the U.S. war in Afghanistan combined. According to another report, Israel’s war in Gaza has killed 232 journalists — an average of 13 per month—making it the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded. Is Israel working its way down an official assassination list of Palestinian reporters in Gaza, think-

ing all is okay as long as the foreign press continues to be blocked from seeing pictures of the war and forced starvation? And why is no real outrage about Israel’s ongoing censorship coming from the N.Y. Times, Washington Post, CNN, and the other networks? Given the relative silence, is “complicity” in the mounting Gaza atrocities too strong a word to use? —Kevin McKiernan, S.B.

Housing Deals Instagram readers had questions and observations about the Paseo Nuevo housing project:

TICKETS 805-922-8313 GROUPS* 805-928-7731 x.4150 PCPA.ORG

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annie.on.insta: Is this the best deal? Why exactly

is the city turning over the land and throwing in $300K/year in tax revenue? Forever? Segregated low-income housing? High-end gym and market? How about a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods level of affordable for the people who will actually be living there along with a post office and pharmacy? Seven stories? Where’s the parking going to be? seetomdraw: Sacramento wields a heavy club. ambassador2art: Placing the 80 so-called “lower-rent” units across the street, far from the market-rate homes, is nothing short of segregation—and it has no place in the cultural heart of Paseo and downtown. In truth, all the units should be affordable, but at the very least, the rent-controlled ones must be integrated, not walled off like modern-day servants’ quarters. Editor’s Note: The many moving parts of this project

are still under negotiation, but one thing is clear: For the Housing Authority to build the project, using its access to Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to turn a million or two into many millions of dollars, it needs a stand-alone location. And, only 12 affordable units are required under current rules.

For the Record ¶ In last week’s Fiesta roundup, the photo depicted police officers from Santa Maria, not Santa Barbara. Also, the fire clouding the air at the time was the Gifford, not the Madre. The Independent welcomes letters of less than 250 words that include a daytime phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Send to: Letters, S.B. Independent, 1715 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101; or fax: 965-5518; or email: letters@independent.com. Unabridged versions and more letters appear at independent.com/opinions.

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In Memoriam

obituaries 03/26/1933 – 07/06/2025

Diane was born in San Diego, CA to Roy and Dorothy Pogue. She and her younger sister Patricia spent their early years in Mt. Laguna, CA where her mother built their rockhouse. They rode horses to a one room school house. When starting high school, she and her horse boarded with a family in El Cajon. The family moved to Willows for a short time, where she graduated high school. She met Bill Rigler at the Bostonia Ballroom in El Cajon, CA. They married in 1950, having two children, James and Darlene Rigler. Diane and children moved to Santa Barbara to be close to her parents. She attended business college and started working as a secretary at Wilson McMahon Furniture. Through mutual friends she met and then married Daniel Hogan in 1958. Their daughter, Dawn Hogan was born while the family was living in Army barrack housing at Pilgrim Terrace. When Debra Hogan was born they bought their home on Walnut Lane. Diane worked hard at Wilson McMahon with an interest in advertising, eventually becoming Advertising Manager, housed in the Press Room building, and later on TV Hill. In the ’70’s she set her sights on becoming a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in Santa Barbara, rising to the rank of Sargent, including time as a Mounted Enforcement Officer. She transitioned to becoming a 911 dispatcher and was one of the best – adapting quickly to new technology. She retired in 1996 and spent more time with family, friends and horses, and 20

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traveled the world with her childhood friend, Joanne Dukatz. In 2019 she moved north to Graeagle, CA to be close to Debbie and family and get back to living in the pines. Mom enjoyed an active life and until the last couple months, the hi-lite of her day was walking right out her door with her dogs to visit her horses, carrots in hand. She enjoyed her card group on most Saturday nights while in SB as well as Chumash and Elks bingo! She whipped through the LA Times daily crossword for as long as we can remember. She could sew, knit and crochet anything she chose and created so much beauty. She always arrived to family gatherings with baskets and boxes filled with her many homemade specialties. She was also a builder, drawing plans and completing countless woodworking projects. There was really nothing our mom couldn’t do! She died peacefully at home after a brief illness, age 92. Preceded in death by son Jimmy and sister Pat Campbell. Survived by daughters Darlene Douglas (Aaron), grandchildren Keith and Kelly Douglas of Santa Barbara; Dawn Hogan (John Fotinos) of Grass Valley; Debra Thompson (Stanley), grandchildren Hilary and Marshall Thompson (Kelsey) and great-granddaughter Walker Thompson of Graeagle. Donations in her memory may be made to Return to Freedom, a cause she supported: www.returntofreedom.org.

AUGUST 14, 2025

Continued on page 22 INDEPENDENT.COM

Sly Stone 1943–2025

Influential and Troubled Genius

BY DA R R E L L M C N E I L L ly & The Family Stone got the cov-

eted call to be featured performers on The Ed Sullivan Show in December 1968. Following Sly’s invocation, “Don’t hate the Black, don’t hate the White / If you get bit, just hate the bite,” the band stormed through a torrid medley of hits. At the climax, Sly signed off, saying: “Thank you for letting us be ourselves!” Sullivan called Sly over for a final on-camera handshake, his signature stamp of approval. San Francisco’s adopted son had finally arrived. Of the paradigm-shifting legends who’ve made recent transitions, the epitaph following the death of Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, is inarguably the most elusive and perplexing. One of the undisputed vanguard and influential music creators in the late 20th century, Stone left a brilliant, frightening, messy Gordian knot of a life that remains largely undeciphered. What is unmistakable is the unparalleled genius behind dozens of hits and more than 100 official releases that near-singlehandedly recalibrated the globe’s ear for popular music. “Everything changed after Sly & The Family Stone,” said Vernon Reid, guitar virtuoso and founder of the band Living Colour. “In terms of impact and the kind of shift they created, there isn’t a greater American band.” Once a child prodigy and major figure in the Bay Area scene, Stone broke new ground and shattered barriers, both musical and cultural, on so many levels in such a short time that it’s easy to take for granted. At their height, he and his revolutionary band posted 10 Top 40 hits, including three numberones that crossed Top 40, urban, and rock radio formats. They were among the most formidable live acts in the business, their zenith coming at the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969. Carlos Santana said in a 2019 New York Times article, “There were only three bands I recollect that were putting it all on the line. You’re playing like Buddy Rich or Miles Davis — you’re playing for your life. Sly & The Family Stone for me is No. 1. Jimi Hendrix is No. 2. Everybody else has to fight with us [Santana] for No. 3.” Less stated is the radical influence the band had on the sound, look, feel, and message of popular music. One of the first self-contained, multi-gender, interracial, genre-fluid bands to ever top the charts, their impact coursed over 60 years: The term “funk” as a formal genre didn’t exist until the music industry excised Black artists from rock ’n’ roll spaces and made Sly its poster boy; the group’s flamboyant streetwear set a new standard for rock fashion; Motown moved from its anodyne polish-and-sheen perch to an earthier, more socially attuned sound; bandleaders such as Miles Davis, Prince, and Herbie Hancock lifted heavily from the Family Stone template; doors opened for white bands steeped in funk, jazz, and soul such as Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, and Chicago; an avalanche of bands built off Sly’s polyglot sound — Earth, Wind & Fire, The Ohio Players, Parliament-Funkadelic; and as hip-hop emerged, The Family Stone’s tracks were foundational beats and breaks. Sly’s triumphs, peaked more than 50 years ago, have since been obscured by a widely documented

COURTESY SALLY A. FOXEN-MCNEILL

Diane Alta Hogan

hellscape of drugs, wild extravagances, label disputes, haphazard live appearances, the dissolution of the band and Sly’s inner circle, uninspired music, jail stints, public withdrawal, the loss of his massive fortune, and declining health from years of self-abuse. Questlove, who has emerged as a “Sly Whisperer” of sorts, explained in Rolling Stone, “Sly faced the pressure of living up to [others’] expectations, creating a constant conflict between his creativity and the anxiety of being in the spotlight.” Despite his decline, there’s never been any loss of interest in Sly — an obsession remains in reconciling his early brilliance with the reality of a deeply troubled man. Perhaps there will never be a true “knowing” of Sly Stone. There are only dissected, often misaligned sketches of a mastermind at his best and worst: from outsiders, from Sly’s inner circle, and noncommittal self-critique from Sly. He had long lost interest in being “known” (at times, even to himself). But that came at the price of mislaying the key factors that made “Sly Stone” possible. In one interview he said, “I soon realized there was a downside [to fame], and the downside caused me to be very willing to get off the scene. You get further down than you realize — Jimi, Janis, and on and on. I’d look at the circumstances and realize I had to back off.” The flaws of the man have largely outsized the authenticity of the genius, often in ways not applied to peers of similar stature who’ve committed considerably worse offense. Which is not to give Stone a pass. But considering his apex catalog and generational influence, he undeniably reshaped the landscape for everything that followed. This demands a much larger conversation — on Beatles, Stones, Dylan levels — about the things that Sly Stone got right, at least musically. Because, at his best, he got more right than nearly everyone around him. If he didn’t, we wouldn’t still be talking about him.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA 63256 CONT’D

We Were Fiesta A Granddaughter’s Love Letter and Reckoning with What’s Been Lost

BY CHERI-ANN LEON y grandmother Kathy Cota passed

UCSB

OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA VOICESUNIVERSITY

UCSB

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO

UCSB

SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO

SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE •• LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO

SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ • SANTA CRUZ SANTA BARBARA

OFFICE OF CAMPUS PLANNING AND DESIGN

October 2022 2025 August October 2022

BUDGET AND PLANNING OFFICE OF CAMPUS PLANNING AND DESIGN SANTAAND BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 93106-2032 BUDGET PLANNING (805) 893-3796 Tel (805) 893-7009 SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 93106-2032 Tel (805) 893-3796

OFFICE OF CAMPUS AND DESIGN AND DESIGN OFFICEPLANNING OF CAMPUS PLANNING BUDGET ANDBUDGET PLANNING AND PLANNING SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA, 93106-2032 CALIFORNIA 93106-2032 Tel (805) 893-3796 Tel (805) 893-3796

Notice Notice ofPublic Intent to Adopt Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration forDevelopment the 2010 Long2010 Range Development Plan Amendment Long Range Plan Amendment LRDP Policy SH-01 LRDP Policy SH-01 Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics Pursuant California Coastal Act, Level University ofof California (UC) Barbara has has prepared a draft SeaCoastal Level Sea Rise Adaptation Strategy Plan Pursuant to to thetheCalifornia Act, the University California (UC)Santa Santa Barbara prepared a draft Rise Adaptation Strategy Plan amendment University California, SantaPublic Barbara’s 2010 Long Range Development (LRDP). amendment to to thetheUniversity California, Santa Barbara’s 2010 Long Range Development (LRDP). Publicofof Comment and Hearing Notice Public Comment and Public Hearing Notice PlanPlan KITP) House Project

October 2022 October 2022 COURTESY

Opinions

UCSB

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA

Public Notice 2010 DevelopmentPlan PlanAmendment Amendment 2010Long Long Range Range Development LRDP Policy PolicySH-01 SH-01 LRDP Sea Rise Adaptation AdaptationStrategy Strategy Plan Sea Level Level Rise Plan Public Notice Public Notice Public and Public Hearing Notice Public Comment Comment and Public Hearing Notice

away a year ago, in June just before LRDP Amendmentwould wouldedit editthe the LRDP LRDP in Policy SH-01 requiring the University to to TheThe LRDP Amendment in accordance accordancewith withLRDP LRDP Policy SH-01 requiring the University the 100th celebration of what her prepare a ComprehensiveSea SeaLevel LevelRise Rise Hazards Hazards Assessment (SLR Plan) as as anan amendment to the a Comprehensive Assessment Plan) amendment to LRDP. the LRDP. Pursuant toprepare the California Act, the University California (UC) Santa Barbara hasBarbara prepared draft Pursuant to the Coastal California Coastal Act, the of University of(SLR California (UC) Santa hasa prepared a draft father put together as a last-minute amendmentamendment toInthe University of California, Barbara’s 2010 Longthis Range Development Planwill (LRDP). to the University of Santa California, Barbara’s 2010 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). accordance with CCR Title 14, Division 5.5,Santa Section 13515l draft LRDP amendment be available Pursuant toCCR the California Quality Act the University offor for In accordance with Title 14, DivisionEnvironmental 5.5, Section 13515l this draft LRDP amendment will be available public review and comment for six weeks. The six-week review and comment period will begin on Thursday show to bring people together in 1924. My greatreview andends comment for six weeks. The six-week reviewwith andan comment period will begin onthe Thursday California (UC) Santa Barbara has prepared Initial Study/ MitigatThe LRDPpublic Amendment would edit the LRDP inthe accordance with LRDP Policy SH-01 requiring therequiring University to The LRDP would editDecember LRDP in accordance LRDP Policy SH-01 University to October 27Amendment and on Wednesday 7, 2022. October 27 and ends on Wednesday December 7, 2022.(SLR Plan) as an amendment to the LRDP. prepare a Comprehensive Sea Level Rise Assessment prepare a Comprehensive Sea Hazards Level Rise Hazards Assessment (SLR Plan) as Kavli an amendment to thefor LRDP. grandfather Juan Cota started what would become ed Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the proposed Institute The draft SLR Plan, including proposed amendments to the LRDP, is available at: UCSB SLR Adaptation TheStrategy draft SLR Plan, including proposed amendments toCampus the LRDP, is available at: UCSB SLR Adaptation Theoretical Physics (KITP) House Project. Old Spanish Days Fiesta to unite the town, to share or upon request at Title the UC Santa Barbara Office ofthis and Design. In accordance with CCR Title 14, Division 5.5, Section 13515l draft Planning LRDP amendment will be available In accordance with CCR 14, Division 5.5, Section 13515l this draft LRDP amendment will beforavailable for Strategy or upon request at the UC Santa Barbara Office of Campus Planning and Design. public review and review comment six weeks. Theweeks. six-week and review comment will period begin on public andfor comment for six Thereview six-week andperiod comment willThursday begin on Thursday the beauty of Santa Barbara, and to welcome visiThere will be a public meeting to present the SLR Plan and receive comments on Tuesday November 15, 2022 October 27There and ends on Wednesday December 7,December 2022. October 27 and ends on Wednesday 7,Plan will beto a7:00 public meeting to to present the SLR and receive comments on Tuesday 15, 2022 The Project proposes construct a2022. new three-story, square from 5:30 at the Isla Vista Community Room, 970 Embarcadero del Mar,53,117 Isla Vista,gross CANovember 93117. Remote tors with pride and joy. attendance is alsoatavailable using the following link: SLR Plan Zoom Meeting from 5:30building to 7:00 theon Islaaby Vista Community Room, 970 Embarcadero delthe Mar,corner Isla Vista, CA 93117. Remote foot University-owned property on of El ColeThe draft SLR Plan, including proposed amendments to the LRDP, is available at: UCSB SLR Adaptation The draft SLR Plan, including proposed amendments to the LRDP, is available at: UCSB SLR Adaptation attendance is also available by using the following link: SLR Plan Zoom Meeting This year, as Fiesta began again, the weight of Strategy or upon at and the UCCamino Santa Office of Campus and Design. Strategy or upon request at theBarbara UCPescadero Santa Barbara Office Planning ofIsla Campus Planning Design. includes giorequest Road Road, Vista. Theand Project For more information call 805-893-3796 or email shari.hammond@ucsb.edu. my grandmother’s absence felt even heavier. Not 33 residential units with 61 bedrooms and areceive guest room, accommodatThere willFor be a public meeting to present the SLR Plan comments on Tuesdayon November 2022 15, 2022 There will be a public meeting to present theand SLRreceive Plan and comments Tuesday 15, November more information call 805-893-3796 or email shari.hammond@ucsb.edu. just because she’s gone, but because what she stood ing5:30 a total beds forCommunity KITP’s visiting graduate from 5:30 tofrom 7:00 at the Vista Room, 970postdoctoral Embarcadero delscholars, Mar, Isla CA Remote to Isla 7:00of at82 theCommunity Isla Vista Room, 970 Embarcadero delVista, Mar, Isla93117. Vista, CA 93117. Remote attendance is also available byavailable using theby following link: SLR Plan Zoom attendance is long-term also using theand following link: SLR Meeting PlanThirty-three Zoom Meeting vehicle parkfor, what she built, what she danced for is disapfellows, visitors their families. ing spaces would be provided. pearing, too. Shari Hammond For more information call 805-893-3796 or email shari.hammond@ucsb.edu. For more information call 805-893-3796 or email shari.hammond@ucsb.edu. University of California, Santa Barbara My family didn’t just participate in Fiesta—we Shari Hammond Office of Campus Planning and Design The KITP House IS/MND is available for public University of California, Barbara review at https://bap. helped create it. Juan Cota was called “Mr. Fiesta,” Santa Barbara, California Santa 93106-2032 Office of Campus Planning and Design ucsb.edu/capital-and-physical-planning/environmental-documents una true Californio, and the city honored him for Barbara, California 93106-2032 der Current Projects, orSanta upon request at the UC Santa Barbara Office of preserving the dances, songs, and stories of Santa Campus Planning and Design. Shari Hammond Shari Hammond Barbara’s roots. His passion lived on through my University of California, Barbara University of Santa California, Santa Barbara Office of Campus Planning and Designon grandmother Kathy, who carried the tradition with Office of Campus Planning andthe Design Public review and opportunity to comment content of the ProjSanta Barbara, California Santa Barbara,93106-2032 California 93106-2032 ect Draft IS/MND is provided during a 30-day period from Thursday grace, founding Danza de Cota and keeping the August 14, 2025 through Friday September 12, 2025 by 5:00 pm. Email flame alive for multiple generations of children who comments to shari.hammond@ucsb.edu or send written comments grew up in Santa Barbara dancing under the stars at postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. September 12, 2025. Noches de Ronda and La Fiesta Pequeña. The author’s great-aunt Mildred Cheff (left) and grandmother For us, Fiesta was never a performance. It was Kathy Cota both helped continue the Fiesta legacy of Juan Shari Hammond, Associate Director never a costume. It was our lived identity—our gift Cota, their father, which is the family’s lifeblood. University of California, Santa Barbara to the city, and our way of gathering community Office of Campus Planning and Design Santa Barbara, California 93106-2032 around beauty and pride. But this year, like so many in recent memory, grace and clarity. At recent community panels, I’ve something feels terribly broken. heard brave voices express what so many of us feel: The Fiesta I grew up with was a landscape cascad- This is no longer a celebration of our heritage—it’s a ing across the American Riviera—a joyful, inclusive, simulation of it. A party thrown by those with power, locally led celebration that is now being swallowed by rather than with purpose. to We are prou d something else: politics, favoritism, exclusion, and a I’m writing this not to tear down but to wake up. d ize gn co re be growing disconnect between the organization and Fiesta is still beloved by many, and it can be fo r ou r the very community that created it. redeemed. But we cannot redeem it by pretending ar Aw d-W in ni ng Ask any dancer or dance family participating this nothing is wrong. Jo ur na lis m year: There is no support for the parents of these We need transparency. We need community-led in th e precious children. Kids rehearse and dedicate them- leadership, not just a line of El Presidentes on parade. 1ST PLACE: selves all year to perform for free, while the Old Span- We need real inclusion of Chumash stories, not just ish Days organization reaps the cultural capital and romanticized Mission imagery that continues to Local Election Coverage: Arts & Entertainment financial gain. Families spend week after week paying erase colonization’s brutality. S.B. COUNTY ELECTION Coverage: for classes, often multiple ones; buying hand-crafted And most of all, we need support for the dancers UPDATE FROM THE SBIFF GIVES FIESTA 5 A shoes, accessories, and materials for costumes; pay- who are the heart of this celebration. Not lip service. WHITE HOUSE TO NEW LEASE ON LIFE ing dressmakers; and building storage for outfits and Not a ribbon or a thank-you from a podium. But real CITY HALL by Nick Welsh props. These aren’t minor expenses. They come from investment. The kind that recognizes that the glory by Nick Welsh Enterprise News Story or a place of passion and pride, but it’s a quiet sacrifice, belongs not to those who “speak on behalf of,” but to Music Writing: Series: one that few on the outside truly understand. those who do for. THE BRASSCALS BRING DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE Unless you’ve danced yourself, unless you’ve My grandmother Kathy Cota gave her life to these HONK TO S.B. by Callie Fausey sweated under the weight of a traje de flamenca or traditions. She taught so many how to dance, how by Nick Welsh twirled in the dark beneath glowing lights, you may to love our culture, and how to serve our city with Fine Arts Writing/ dignity, always with class, always with genuine love never fully understand what’s being given. Photo Story/Essay: Reporting: Unfortunately, it now feels like if you’re not part in her heart. Her loss left a wound in our family. But S.B. SOLSTICE PARADE ART ABOUT LIFE, DEATH, of the “in crowd,” you’re expendable. It’s gatekeeping also a fire in me. TAKES A FLIGHT OF AND CLOWNING masked as tradition. Those who built Fiesta with I still believe in Fiesta. FANCY UP SANTA by Joe Woodard their bodies, their time, and their culture are now But I believe in the one we used to know. The one BARBARA STREET Labor Reporting: being told, “You’re lucky to be here.” But it was our where the mercados lit up the night, where music and by Leslie Dinaberg, AFTER NEAR-STRIKE AND voices, our dances, and our stories that made this laughter spilled into the streets until 10 p.m., where Photos by Ingrid Bostrom HISTORIC TEACHERS’ celebration meaningful in the first place. children spun in bright dresses among confetti and Print Inside Layout: RAISE, S.B. UNIFIED And now, that meaning is being erased. White- sore feet and felt seen, valued, and truly celebrated. INDY AWARDS GRAPPLES WITH washed. Repackaged for photo ops and old men in The one built by hands like my grandmother’s and by Xavier Pereyra TEACHER TURNOVER, embroidered jackets playing dress-up as Spaniards just a few more like hers. A $10M BUDGET or Mexicans, eating cold beans and tomato-sauced We are still here. SHORTFALL, AND instant rice, while Indigenous and Chicano commuBut we will not be silent. ‘RESIDUAL FRUSTRATION nity members are sidelined—or silenced altogether. If Old Spanish Days wants to continue to honor by Callie Fausey Our heritage is cast into the corners, only pulled out its 100-year legacy, it must remember who made it when entertainment is due. sacred. There are members of the Chumash and ChiBecause we weren’t just participants. independent.com/2024awards cano communities who’ve raised these concerns with n We were Fiesta.

2024 CNPAIA

CALIFORN M S JOURNALIS AWARD

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obituaries Patricia Marie Daniels 04/29/1931-06/29/2025

Patricia Marie Daniels, “Pat” to her friends and “Mom” and “Nana” to her family, lived a blessed and beautiful life for 94 years before passing peacefully on June 29, 2025 in Solvang, CA. Pat was born April 29, 1931 in Los Angeles to Gertrude and Clarence Faylor. She attended Los Angeles Catholic Girls High School and graduated in 1949. At age 16, she met Tom (Merton Thomas) Daniels, a Hollywood High student and the love of her life, at a school dance. At 19, Pat and Tom married and had their first daughter, Janice, by their first wedding anniversary. Six other children followed over the next 15 years: Christine, Michael, Karen, Kelly, James and Thomas. Pat loved babies! In 1956, Pat and Tom built a home on Pt. Dume in Malibu, where their kids grew up enjoying the beauty and adventure of the beach and outdoors, surfing, riding horses, and making lifelong friends. When Pt. Dume Elementary School opened in 1967, Pat volunteered for the PTA and helped put on numerous events, including the school’s amazing Arts & Crafts fair show and movie nights. Her chocolate cake packed lovingly in her kids’ lunches became legendary on the playground—so delicious they could trade slices of it for almost anything! Throughout her life, Mom recalled happy memories of her family’s time in Malibu and talked fondly about what a wonderful community it was for her kids to grow up in. In the early 70’s, Pat went to work at the Riviera County Club, then earned her real estate license and joined Pritchett Realty, where she made great friends. In 2004, following Tom’s passing in 1997, Pat moved to the Santa Ynez Valley, an area they had enjoyed together when visiting their daughter Christine and her family. Pat immediately became an active and adored member of the Mission Santa Inés, attending morning mass and afternoon rosaries, volunteering for church ministries, working in 22

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To submit obituaries for publication, please call (805) 965-5205 or email obits@independent.com the office, bringing communion to home-bound congregants, and becoming famous for her energy, beautiful and generous spirit and baked goodies. Nana had a beer every day with the afternoon mail, which we believe was one of the secrets to her long and happy life. Although challenged with arthritis, she spent hours gardening and creating beautiful floral arrangements, festively decorating her home for every holiday (Christmas was her favorite), remembering every birthday and anniversary with cards and calls, giving modest but gorgeously wrapped gifts topped with elaborate handmade bows, chopping meat for the famous chili she brought every year to the Capuchin Franciscans’ annual boating adventure at Lake Cachuma, and preparing food for family gatherings. We celebrated her 80th birthday with an Alaskan cruise, where she was proud to have ridden what was then the world’s longest zip line in Hoonah. When she talked about “Tommy,” our Dad and Grampa who was waiting for her in heaven, she’d smile, point to the line up of family photos on her mantle, look up and say, “I love you darling but I’m not ready to go yet. I’m having too much fun here!” When asked about her secrets to a long and happy life, she advised, “When you receive love, give love back. Get out there and enjoy yourself and make friends. Do things for other people. And it may not work for you, but it works for me…have a beer a day.” At the time of her passing, Pat had 7 grown children, 7 “outlaws,” 18 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren (with a 20th great on the way!) and a huge extended family. Pat/ Mom/Nana: thank you for all the life lessons, delightful humor, and examples of service, faith, friendship, love, and zest for living that you gave us. Nanas are angels in disguise, and you will always be our angel. A celebration of Pat’s life will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11 am at Mission Santa Inés.

AUGUST 14, 2025

Jeanne Marie Duncan 01/05/1957-07/17/2025

Jeanne Marie was born in Boston and grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Vacations were spent in Canada where her parents’ families had settled from Scotland. The family later moved to California, to Los Gatos and then to Santa Barbara. Jeanne graduated from Dos Pueblos High, and like many young dreamers of the 1970s, she hit the road for adventure. Her journey took her north to Berkeley, and Oregon, east to New York, west to Texas, then back to California near Lake Arrowhead in the town of Blue Jay, before returning to Santa Barbara. Although the road trip may have had more misadventures than pure adventure, she shared these trials over the years, always with humor and self-awareness. Once back in Santa Barbara, Jeanne lived an eclectic life, working in art-related jobs and volunteering at the Braille Institute. Jeanne was outgoing and readily connected with people, especially eccentric characters. She had a passion for collecting and sharing curios found at yard sales and thrift shops, all the while engaging with fellow browsers. A gifted fiber artist, Jeanne knit sweaters, scarves, and hats in intricate patterns and color blends. While she often lamented how few “sweater weather” days there are in Santa Barbara, that never stopped her from creating warmth with her hands. Her home and garden also reflected Jeanne’s Bohemian spirit -whimsical spaces filled with flowering plants, art, lights, and quirky figurines. Her beloved cat, Kate, was always nearby. Jeanne endured years of chronic back pain, and in the last year, severe gastrointestinal infections. She passed away July 17, 2025, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. Jeanne is survived by her brother Bill Duncan, his wife Nancy, her sister Margaret Duncan, partner Jeff Waters, and by her son Aaron, with whom she reunited years after his adoption, his wife Jill, and cherished grandson August. From the moment they met,

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there was no doubt August was hers, their matching curls said it all. A celebration for Jeanne is being planned and will be announced.

David Carpenter

03/24/1939-07/21/2025

David Carpenter passed away on July 21, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 86 years old. Dave was born on March 24, 1939 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; the fourth of five children. Valedictorian of his high school (North Side High School), he went to the University of Michigan on scholarship where he received both his bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in mathematics. Dave had an extensive career in insurance, starting as an actuary at Lincoln National Life Insurance and later becoming Chief Actuary of American Mutual Life. He moved to California in 1971, joining what was to become known as Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company as a vice president and associate actuary. After a stint working as a consultant at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, he rejoined Transamerica in 1980 as its chief marketing officer. Dave remained with Transamerica until he retired in 1995 as Chairman and CEO of Transamerica Life Insurance and executive vice president of Transamerica Corporation. Dave was a pioneer of the insurance industry’s response to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. He was a member of the American Council of Life Insurance CEO Task Force on AIDS and founding co-chairman of the National Leadership Coalition on AIDS. Under his leadership, Transamerica supported AIDS Project L.A. and became the first company to make a major grant supporting AIDS education and

research. Following his retirement from Transamerica, Dave served as Chairman and CEO of UniHealth and later UniHealth Foundation. He also served on a variety of boards, including AAA, the Auto Club of Southern California, PacifiCare Health Systems, H.F. Ahmanson (the parent of Home Savings of America) and the Fielding Institute. In addition to his professional achievements, Dave was active in the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara communities. He held leadership positions and served on the boards of numerous civic and nonprofit organizations, including the California Hospital Medical Center Foundation, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles Sports Council, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Santa Barbara Cancer Center, Casa Dorinda, the Montecito Association and Birnam Wood Golf Club. On a national level, he was chairman of the National Institute of Transplantation and the Alliance for Aging Research. Dave also was a fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and he received numerous awards and accolades including the Presidential Recognition Award for Community Service - recognizing his early leadership in the fight against AIDS - the Los Angeles 1993 Humanitarian Award and the Sword of Life Awards from the American Cancer Society. Dave was known to be tough but fair, and he was always up for a good joke. For decades, he had a plaque on his desk that read: “If you’re too busy to laugh, you’re too busy.” He loved golf and Michigan football and, before moving to Pacific Palisades in the mid-1980s, enjoyed sailing. Dave and his wife, Leila, married in Sweden, where Leila grew up. They moved to Montecito from the Palisades in 1997 and spent almost every summer of their lives together in southern Sweden. Dave is preceded in death by Leila, who passed away on June 7th, and siblings Jack and Patricia. He is survived by his children, Kim (Bill) Robertson, Clay (Laurie) Carpenter, and Michelle Carpenter (Matt Macdonald); grandchildren Max, Maggie, Colin and Zach; two brothers and their spouses, Al and Kay Carpenter, and Steve and Judy Carpenter, as well as several nephew and nieces. Memorial donations may be made in Dave’s memory to VNA Health (designated to Serenity House).

obituaries Jerry W. Colyer

06/05/1961-08/09/2025

On August 9th, 2025, my best friend and beloved husband of 43 years passed away after a courageous struggle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome and metastatic brain cancer. He faced both diagnoses with very little complaint and a resolve to maintain a positive attitude amid his physical body betraying him. His Christian faith was the foundation he built a life on, as a seeker of truth in his early teens. Jerry grew up in Buena Park, California. His childhood was filled with the simple pleasures of the time. His intelligence and love of adventure led him to explore his surroundings with curiosity and purpose. His best memories of that time are bicycling to the beach with friends, years of interesting Boy Scout activities culminating in the rank of Eagle Scout and the freedom to pursue challenging new experiences. In high school, his enjoyment of journaling, drawing and photography led him to use these talents on the school newspaper staff. His love of the outdoors resulted in many camping and backpacking trips. Church youth group, bible studies and prayer meetings contributed to his spiritual maturity and wisdom. At 16, he made friends with a girl named Julie. Little by little, they became inseparable partners for life. This led them to Cal State Fullerton in the early days of Computer Science studies. Jerry’s love of the computer world provided a means of professional growth that lasted forty years. From programming languages to graphics, networking, teaching, IT support and cyber security, he found his ever-changing field stimulating. In the early 1990s, his career path led to Delco Electronics in Goleta and Santa Barbara became home. As much as Jerry’s career meant to him, his family was in no doubt of his devotion. Jerry and Julie were blessed with two daughters, Kirstin and Caitlin. Jerry was the type

To submit obituaries for publication, please call (805) 965-5205 or email obits@independent.com of dad that shared the wide, wide world that he loved with his children and supported and encouraged them as they made their own discoveries. In time, when he became “Gramp”, he was equally engaged with and proud of his three beloved grandsons, Chris, Rhys and Caedmon. When Kirstin married Rudy Carruolo, Jerry’s joy was complete, as he became the best son-in-law a father could have prayed for. Our family is forever grateful to Dr. Alex Morf for his faithful care of Jerry. He was blessed with the best of medical attention locally, through Cottage Health, UCLA, Sansum, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, VNA Hospice and the overwhelming gold standard of excellence, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital. There will be a graveside service at Goleta Cemetery on August 18th at 10 a.m. A reception at Shalhoob’s Magnolia in Goleta will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital. God bless all! Julie

Sean Roger McGrath 07/18/1940 – 08/13/2025

Sean McGrath was a man of deep gratitude, fierce love, and uncompromising honesty. He often said the two things he was most thankful for in this life were his sobriety and his beloved wife, Lailan. When he passed, Sean had proudly celebrated 55 years of sobriety, a testament to his strength, courage, and unwavering commitment to personal growth and service. Born on July 18, 1940, at Seaside Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, California, Sean was the son of Agnes Cecilia Rogers McGrath and Roger William McGrath. His sister was Patricia Katherine (PK) Steers ( L. Rich Steers). Until his 30th birthday in 1970, Sean abused both alcohol and recreational drugs “to their limits(!)” —his own words. But on that birthday, he chose a new path. From that moment forward, he became a beacon for countless others seeking sobriety, offering his

no-nonsense counsel and deep compassion as a sponsor and friend in the AA community. He was part sage and unfiltered reality, and always full of heart and humor. Those lucky enough to know him would say he was one of the most forgiving and compassionate souls they ever met. He was usually the first person to approach a newcomer to AA and would listen non-judgmentally, giving his all to anyone who asked for his time. He was a long-time fixture at many local restaurants/places where he would hold fellowship at the same table with the most esteemed people in the community, combined with someone who was experiencing a hard time. Sean and Lailan held legendary dinner parties, some attended by hundreds, and all joined by a beautiful cross-section of the community. He held all equally with the same love and esteem. In the 1970s, Sean worked as a line mechanic for Vasek Polak, where he developed a deep passion for Porsches and went on to own many of them over the years. He also loved restoring classic sports cars, including a 1928 Topolino. Sean had a spirit built for adventure. When he discovered commercial diving for abalone, he marveled that people actually got paid to do something so incredible. He also went on to become a commercial urchin diver, although he preferred canned chili over the delicacy he harvested. Sean was a marine mechanic whose lifelong love and connection with the Pacific Ocean was evident in his dedication to captaining and maintaining his boats, as well as collaborating with others on the water. In 1977, he became a Merchant Mariner, and he carried that identity with immense pride for the rest of his life. He loved jazz—the voices of Miles Davis and Chet Baker, the smooth resonance of Johnny Mathis, the searching soul of Coltrane, the introspection of Keith Jarrett, the fire of Alfredo Rodriguez, and the quiet brilliance of Justin Kauflin. These sounds were more than music to him—they were reflections of his inner world: thoughtful, complex, full of emotion. But it wasn’t only jazz. His heart held room for the classics too—Rachmaninoff ’s intensity, Beethoven’s thunder and grace. His soul moved in rhythm with it all. He even-

tually came to love the easy rhythms of Hawaiian slack key music, which also reflected his deep connection to the ocean and a laid-back, hands-on way of life. Sean’s presence, especially driving his yellow Porsche around town, was unmistakable. He was incredibly handsome and larger than life and always in his infamous tank top and short shorts, even doubling up on the tanks when the weather got cold. “His heart was as big as his biceps.” That was Sean — practical, unpretentious, and uniquely himself. He was both intense and loving with a hearty laugh that filled the room. He prayed every single day, asking God to help him be the best man he could be — and to those who knew and loved him, he truly was. He was the “coolest Godfather”, a guiding light to his extended family and a solid rock to his close-knit circle of “family by choice.” Sean is survived by his cherished wife, Lailan McGrath, his stepsons Adam Fell (Lindsey Fell) and Noah Fell (Halley Jelks), and his beloved grandchildren Noah Faye Fell and Mason Mikala Fell. He also leaves behind a wide web of friends and chosen family who continue to feel his steady influence and profound love. Sean McGrath lived life on his own terms — honest, brave, curious, and kind. His legacy lives on in the many people he helped, the adventures he chased, and the love he shared so freely. He will be greatly missed. As the boats sail by, a casual Memorial Celebration will be held on Saturday, September 20 at Peninsula Park in Oxnard (3333 Peninsula Rd, Oxnard, CA 93035) from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Parking is limited and carpooling is suggested. Memorial Donations can be made on Sean’s behalf to VNA Health (vna.health) for the incredible care they provided to him at Serenity House, or in any way that might help the Alcoholic or Addict who still suffers.

Michael C. Wheeler 06/17/1933 – 12/15/24

It was with incredible sorrow that we said goodbye to the amazing,one- of -a- kind Michael Wheeler on December 15th. His infectious smile reflected his fun-loving acceptance of people and life in this crazy world. He loved to laugh, loved Heineken and cars(especially his yellow Corvette). And he also had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor! At the same time,he was deeply aware of the injustices in the world and expressed this in his works. First with the disadvantaged as a social worker,and later as a valued driver for HELP of Carpinteria and as a volunteer gently helping patients and their families during their most vulnerable times. Throughout his life Michael followed the advice of his wise high school principal who guided him to “pick up an instrument”. He chose the trombone which served him well. His immense talent got him into the Air Force Band during the Korean War.He continued to be a wonderful addition to many Swing bands throughout California, most notable, Swing Shift, The Unforgettables and back in the day,the amazing Santa Barbara City College Lunchbreak Band. He leaves behind many friends, bandmates and loving family members.He was predeceased by his beloved first wife, Beverly Ortega Wheeler mother to Chris(Sarah) Kelly (Lori ) and his cherished grandsons Trevor, Zach and Theo. His soul mate and loving wife Gail wishes to thank all who were friends and who appreciated the fantastic spirit and life of Michael. A celebration of his life to be determined at a later time.

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obituaries Richard Raymond Cervantez

09/24/68– 08/23/2024

This past year has been the most painful in my life with the loss of my precious son Rich. I want you to know I’ve felt your love and presence every step of the way. I love and miss you every day Rich; your family and friends alike. Your friends have included me in their gatherings and we talk about you. You are not forgotten. Your love endured forever. You understood me, loved me, and made me happy. Your smile was as big as your heart. Rich, how blessed I was because you were my life. I take comfort that you are in a better place (Heaven) with the Lord. God chose you. I would like to thank all the people that I didn’t get to reach for their support, donations, flowers, food, kindness, condolences, phone calls and loving embraces. There will be a memorial mass on Saturday August 23, 2025; at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 1740 Cliff Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93109; at 10:00 am if anyone would like to attend. Your Loving Mother.

RoseMarie Jones

02/09/1943– 07/13/2025

RoseMarie (Bunter) Jones, 82, was called into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Following an unfortunate fall in early June, she suffered a broken vertebrae, but other underlying health conditions ultimately lead to her passing. RoseMarie was born in Burbank, California, on February 9, 1943 to immigrants Josef Bunter and Olga (née Jeske) Bunter, and was the 24

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To submit obituaries for publication, please call (805) 965-5205 or email obits@independent.com third of four daughters. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Santa Barbara City College where she met her future husband, Dennis M. Jones who had recently returned to Santa Barbara following his service in the United States Air Force. They were married on December 29, 1962 at Christ Lutheran in Burbank and bought their first home in Goleta in July 1964 where they lived until her death. RoseMarie is survived by her husband of 62 ½ years, Dennis, and their children: Donna (Scott) Voigt of Goleta, and D. Martin “Marty” Jones of Santa Barbara as well as three grandchildren: Hillary Voigt, Kevin (Ciarra) Voigt, and Nathan (Amanda) Voigt. She is predeceased by her sisters Beverly Osness, Sylvia Byers, and Suzanne Andrews. One of RoseMarie’s greatest joys in life was spending time with her grandchildren and she was blessed to have them living in Goleta during their formative years. She especially loved going to lunch and getting a pedicure with her granddaughter, and attending her grandsons’ Little League games and Robotics competitions. She would do just about anything to spend time with them and show her support for their activities. Her grandson Kevin’s wedding in April was an absolute highlight for her during this most recent time of her declining health. As a devout and faithful Christian, RoseMarie was an active member of Emanuel Lutheran Church for over 63 years. It was like a second home for both her and Dennis. She participated in many of Emanuel’s LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) activities and held a number of positions over the years. RoseMarie was also instrumental in bringing the Parish Nurse program to Emanuel. She helped with Vacation Bible School, attended Bible classes regularly, and played in the Bell Choir. And before her recent accident, she absolutely loved coming to “Game Day’’. Outside of church, RoseMarie also loved to sew. Whether it was new clothes for herself, Halloween costumes and matching Christmas pajamas for the grandkids, or clothes for American Girl dolls, she was an excellent seamstress. Being an informed voter was also very important to RoseMarie. She prided herself in understanding political

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issues and knowing where the candidates stood on matters of importance to her. She was involved with various Republican Women’s clubs over the years. Most recently she was an active member of RITA (Research, Investigate and Take Action). Her presence in our daily lives will be dearly missed. RoseMarie’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, August 25th at 10:30 am at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 3721 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara. Donations may be made in her name to the Emanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

Jill S. Graham

11/01/1939 – 08/02/2025

Jill S. Graham, born Jill Coy in Santa Barbara on November 1, 1939 and she passed in peace at home with loved ones on August 2, 2025. Jill married Jack Graham in 1957. Their story-book relationship started in junior high school - that’s 72 years together! Jill was an amazing and devoted wife to Jack and mother to 4 boys Rick, Gary (predeceased), Dave and Greg; all born before her 27th birthday. Her love for God and family was everything to her. She was a precious cultivator of love & life. She was bright, witty and loved to laugh out loud. Her home was impeccably kept with a style as beautiful as she was. She loved plants, birds, butterflies and angels. Jill is survived by her loving husband, Jack; her children Rick (and Joanne) Graham, Dave (and Bonnie) Graham, Greg (and Tammy) Graham; her grandchildren, Shelby (and Dustin) Reese, Iris Graham, Isaac Graham, Ian (and Shania) Graham, Joshua Graham, Caleb Graham, Maya Graham and Emma Graham; and her great-grandchildren Nate Reese, Braden Reese, Carson Reese, Layla Reese and Poppy Graham. Nephew Jack Coy (Tracy Coy) children Kelly and Katie and niece Brenda Coy. Jill is now rejoicing with her Lord Jesus. It was her wish that no funeral service be held.

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Janice Chatoff Shea

04/02/1953 – 06/20/2025

Janice Chatoff Shea of Goleta, California, passed away on June 20, 2025, at the age of 72 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her family and beloved friends. Janice was born and raised in New Rochelle, New York, to Teddy and Ann Chatoff. She was predeceased by her only sibling, Steven R. Chatoff of Westlake Village, California. She is survived by her cherished son, Adam Palmer, and his partner, Aimee; her grandchildren, Arcadia and Ronan of Parker, Colorado; her niece, Nina Chatoff Juarez, and her husband, Miguel Juarez, of Thousand Oaks, California; her nephew, Alex Chatoff, and his family; as well as an abundance of dear friends. Janice spent her younger years across New York, New England, and the East Coast— especially Vermont, a state that always held a special place in her heart, even after she relocated to California in the early 1980s. A lifelong adventurer, Janice loved the natural world and animals. She was happiest outdoors—whether at the beach, in the mountains, by a river, or on a quiet lake. She enjoyed fishing, hiking, gardening, making art, listening to music, cooking, archery, and bird and wildlife watching. A devoted dog lover, she found endless joy in the canine companions she had over the years, including Lola, the dachshund she inherited and generously cared for after the passing of her sister-in-law. Janice had an indomitable spirit, a vibrant sense of humor, and a contagious laugh. She was open-hearted, honest, and deeply caring—especially about the well-being of our planet and all who inhabit it. She adored her family and friends, and the feeling was mutual. Janice spent much of her adult life active in the Santa Barbara-area sobriety community, both personally and professionally. She attended several universities in Southern California, earning her master’s degree from California State

University Channel Islands in mental health and substance abuse treatment. She was passionate about her work and dedicated her life to helping others, always striving to give back what had been freely given to her. Janice would want the space she leaves behind to be filled with art, laughter, kindness, color, and peace. She would want us to hold close the memories we made with her—and to carry them forward with love.

Larry ‘Hobby’ Hobbisiefken

06/30/1934– 01/12/2025

To those who knew our dad, he was Larry “Hobby” Hobbisiefken — fondly known to many as Larry the Legend — whose humor, warmth, and famous “long goodbyes” were as much a part of him as his love of golf. He passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at the age of 90. A proud Army veteran and tank commander at Fort Lewis, and ever the salesman at heart, Larry lived life fully and touched countless lives. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who remained fiercely independent until the end, always ready with a smile, a story, and a reason to laugh. Larry is survived by his daughters, Susie Subject and Judy Taggart; his son, John Casey (Kimla); his granddaughter, Brianna; and three great-granddaughters, along with a cherished circle of friends and golf buddies who will miss him on and off the course. In 2008, he was predeceased by his former wife, Fran “Franial” Hobby, with whom he shared many years and a lasting friendship. Larry’s family and close friends will gather privately on August 17 to celebrate his life, and his ashes will be scattered the following day, August 18, a date that holds special meaning as it marks the anniversary of Fran’s passing. He is deeply loved and will be forever missed. May he rest in peace, with a putter in one hand and a Dr. Pepper in the other… and the sun forever warm on his back.

obituaries Donald W. Lanning

08/11/1937 – 06/17/2025

To submit obituaries for publication, please call (805) 965-5205 or email obits@independent.com or lending a hand without being asked, he left people better than he found them. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy — of skill, laughter, and generosity — will keep running strong in the lives he touched. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial services will be reserved until arrangements can be made for a gathering in Santa Barbara to celebrate his life.

Richard Stanley Bilski 04/19/1930 – 07/12/2025

Anthony Michael Bisquera Hartley 01/05/1995-08/01/2025

Richard “Dick” Rosenkrans Donald W. Lanning lived his 87 years with curiosity in his mind, grease on his hands, and a smile that could turn a stranger into a friend. He passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025, at Serenity House in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by love. Born on August 11, 1937, in Richmond, California, Donald’s journey brought him to Santa Barbara as a toddler — a place that would forever be his home. As a boy, he could often be found taking things apart just to see how they worked, a trait that stayed with him for life. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1955, then proudly served his country in the United States Army as a mechanic. It was there that his love for machines deepened, though his favorite creations were always on four wheels. After his service, he earned his teaching degree from Fresno State University, ready to share his skills with the next generation. Cars weren’t just a hobby for Donald — they were part of his identity. From the shine of chrome to the purr of a perfectly tuned engine, he especially loved his 1932 Ford hot rods. He was a proud member of several car clubs, where he found lifelong friendships and never hesitated to help someone else get their car back on the road. For three decades, Donald taught Industrial Arts at Buena High School, Dos Pueblos High School, and Santa Barbara High School. His classroom was a place where lessons went far beyond textbooks — where he taught respect for craftsmanship, the value of hard work, confidence and the pride of building something with your own hands. He was known as a tough but fair teacher, and many of his students carried his lessons into their careers, hobbies, and lives. Donald was also an avid tennis player into his early 80s and said he would hit “green fuzzies” until his knees gave out. Donald’s life was marked by kindness, humor, and a steadfast devotion to his family and friends. Whether he was fixing an engine, telling a good story,

02/14/1943-08/04/2025

Richard “Dick” Rosenkrans, 82, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, in San Diego, California. Born on February 14, 1943, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Richard lived a life defined by love, laughter, service, and devotion to his family. Dick and his wife, Peg, made Santa Barbara their beloved home—first in the mid 1970s, and then continuously from 1978 to 2024. They loved the life and community they built there, raising their family and forming lasting friendships. Some of their most treasured memories were made on family trips to Hawaii and Cape Cod, and at the beach in Santa Barbara. Dick worked for Raytheon for 36 years before retiring at age 60. In his retirement, he continued to give back through volunteer work with the Cottage Hospital Life Alert Program and as a tax preparer for the AARP. He was known for his generosity, quiet strength, and willingness to help others. Dick was a man who found joy in simple pleasures: biking through the neighborhood, swimming in his pool, and working on home improvement projects. Above all, he loved being with his family. He never missed a grandchild’s sporting event and often said that his greatest achievement was his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, Peg; his children Richard Rosenkrans, Kimberly Nabarro, and Noelle Rosenkrans; and his cherished grandchildren Makani, Makoa, Lokelani, Madison, and Blake. He also leaves behind his siblings Charlotte, Gerry, Ginny, and Bill. Dick’s warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love will be deeply missed and remembered always.

My son, my baby boy. Anthony Michael Bisquera Hartley was born January 5, 1995 at St. Francis Hospital and blessed by the nuns right after his birth. Anthony spent his whole life in Santa Barbara and attended the local schools. My son loved to read, draw, paint, sketch, watch horror/thriller movies, and dress up in scary costumes for Halloween. Anthony’s greatest gift in life are his three children: Kaleb, Kayden and Arabella. He spent all of his time with his babies. I’m so proud of the father he came to be. He spent his time loving them and building Legos. He loved to draw with Kaleb. He was a jungle gym for Kayden who loved using Anthony’s head as bongos. His baby girl Bella had Anthony wrapped around her finger. Anthony is survived by his mother Karen Bisquera, who lovingly raised him with his siblings Alysia Dominguez Bisquera, Monique LaMarca (Mathew), David Bisquera Hartley, and Justine Hernandez. His three children Kaleb, Kayden and Arabella. His nephews Jesiah, Evan, Lyric, Dominic, Eros and Bentley. His grandparents Rosemary & Roosevelt Bisquera. His Bisquera, Velez and Sierra cousins. His mentor Arno Jafë and many, many friends and family. Please feel free to wear t-shirt and jeans to the rosary service to honor Anthony. We are asking attendees to wear dark blue or black attire for the mass and burial services. A Rosary Vigil will be held on Thursday August 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM and The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday August 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Rafael’s Catholic Church, 5444 Hollister Ave. Santa Barbara, CA. Graveside service will follow the Mass at Goleta Cemetery, 44 South San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara, CA. Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary

Richard (Dick) Bilski passed away peacefully on 12 July, 2025. He was 95 years old. Richard was born the oldest of 5 children to Stan and Sophia Bilski in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1930 and grew up in a close-knit PolishAmerican community during the Depression. He was a hard worker even as a child, picking cherries and corn at a local farm, delivering papers, and any other work he could find, while still finding time to play lots of baseball. After graduating from Catholic Central High School, Richard spent his 20’s continuing to work hard while having fun. He was a boxer, played second base on a semi-pro baseball team, attended Notre Dame football games, and socialized at the Polish halls and with his family. After training as a welder in Cincinnati, Richard traveled to many union jobs from New York to Florida, returning home to Grand Rapids in between jobs. On one visit home he met Monica McConnell at an Acquinas College dance, settling down soon afterward in 1958 in what resulted in a very long and very happy marriage. The couple moved to Muskegan, Michigan, built a house, opened the Grey Goose Tavern, and had three daughters, Stacey, Mary, and Rosemarie. On weekends the family went exploring in Richard’s classic Model A or Willys Jeepster. Both Richard and Monica worked at the bar, with much help from Richard’s father Stan and brothers Larry and Herman. After only a few years Monica persuaded Richard to head west, so they sold their house and business, packed up trailer and daughters, and headed west in 1963 to search for a great place to raise a family (with no snow!). Realizing during the trip that Monica was pregnant, they temporarily settled in Whittier, California, where twins Stephanie and Stan were born. They took many road trips around Southern California searching for the perfect place to live, eventually falling in love with the Santa Barbara area and moving to Goleta in 1965 to raise their family. Richard traveled around

California working construction jobs through the Pipe Fitters Union, specializing in hydraulic controls for projects including oil platforms off the SoCal coast and the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. The nature of construction allowed him time between jobs to take his family on long summer adventures in their camper visiting National Parks and interesting places, with some of the more memorable trips including a visit to family to Michigan. Richard was a long time member of St. Raphael’s Parish, the Knights of Columbus, and the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge. He very much enjoyed working in his garden, spending time with family (especially if a game of Setback was involved!), and could be seen walking the neighborhood well into his 90s. Having left the Model A and Jeepster back in Michigan, he continued to purchase and work on classic cars, including a rare 1954 red convertible Kaiser Darrin he bought for Monica, number 48 of only 435 built, and at least five 1965-69 Mustangs for family members. Although Richard loved California, he very much enjoyed traveling to Notre Dame games or Michigan to visit his old haunts and spend time with family reminiscing, playing Setback, eating kielbase, meeting the new children, and listening to polka music. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Stan and Sophia, wife Monica, son Stan, daughter Rose, brothers Donnie and Larry (Diana), and sister Esther (Ted Szotko). He is survived by his brother Herman (Regina), daughters Stacey Bilski, Mary Kohler (David), and Stephanie Robbins, grandchildren Joe Yonke (Bernadette Bascom), John Yonke (Alison), Kristin Vega (Mark), Craig Kohler (Stefani), Scott Kohler, Janelle Weichman (Ryan), Steven Kohler, and nine great grandchildren. His family will remember him as a fun-loving, hardworking patriarch who led a long and full life. A private mass at St Raphael’s Church and internment at Calvary Cemetery were held on 4 Aug. Donations can be made to Bishop Garcia Diego High school in Santa Barbara in his memory.

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Hopes and Dreams My Family’s Story of Immigrating to Santa Barbara by Oscar Gutierrez The federal raids of Glass House Farms in Carpinteria and Camarillo on July 10 sparked a new level of awareness about the Trump administration’s “mass deportation agenda.” Armored military trucks and more than 50 uniformed federal agents with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, and Border Patrol had shown up in Carpinteria, a coordinated effort to serve search warrants for evidence of possible immigration violations. Hundreds of residents came out to protest the operation, and in the chaotic standoff, the armed federal officers deployed flash-bangs, rubber pellets, and smoke grenades on the crowd, which included community members, legal observers, and local government representatives. This week, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez opens up about the Carpinteria raids, his own family’s immigration story, and what it means to be Mexican-American in 2025.

The Gutierrez family. Oscar is the youngest.

—Ryan P. Cruz

hat happened in Carpinteria deeply struck me — the son of migrant farmworkers, a former Carpinteria city hall staffer, and now a Santa Barbara City Councilmember. Our communities have faced so much, especially with federal agencies overriding local authority, leaving many of us feeling powerless. But seeing local leaders and activists unite to push back gives me hope. While I may have limited power to stop it, I can still use my voice to

honor my family’s struggle and sacrifice to live and thrive in this country. The message hit home at the annual luncheon of the Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County, where Senator Cory Booker gave a powerful keynote. He sat alongside leaders like Congressmember Salud Carbajal, Senator Monique Limón, Assemblymember Gregg Hart, supervisors Laura Capps and Roy Lee, and Superintendent Susan Salcido. Seeing such a bold, diverse group filled me with pride.

Passport photo of the siblings

The moment that stayed with me was Senator Booker’s words: “We are our ancestors’ hopes and dreams manifest.” It brought a flood of memories about my own family’s journey in this country.

‘MEXICAN REPATRIATION’ My mother’s family has Indigenous roots in what is now Texas, dating back before Spanish colonization. In the 1930s, during the so-called “Mexican Repatriation,” my U.S.-born great-grandparents and my grandmother were illegally deported along with an estimated 2 million Latinos—targeted simply for the color of their skin. Even though my mother’s family were legal U.S. citizens, they were unaware that they did not have to go through the immigration process to claim their U.S. citizenship. They suffered through decades of stress and fear because of this. After leaving Texas, my great-grandparents settled in Michoacán, where my grandfather later joined the Bracero Program, which brought Mexican farmworkers to the U.S. between 1942 and 1964 to fill wartime labor shortages. He died painfully from pesticide exposure in the fields, and my mother’s family was so poor they had to bury him in an unmarked community grave. After my grandfather died in Mexico, my grandmother immigrated to California to support her children, but the money she sent never reached them. At 19, my mother took charge and got legal tourist visas for herself and seven of her younger siblings. They traveled from Michoacán to the U.S.–Mexico border. When the bus reached the border, a border official ordered only my mother to get off. But she refused to leave her younger siblings behind, insisting they stay together since she was responsible for them and they had legal tour-

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With Indigenous roots in Texas, Oscar's maternal grandmother was illegally deported; his grandfather joined the Bracero Program.

ist visas. Frustrated, the official demanded the address where they were going, warning that Immigration would follow up. My mom, being honest, gave it to him. After he left the bus, she quietly prayed he’d lose the paper — and as the bus pulled away, she saw the wind blow it from his hand into a river.

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This brings me to my father’s side of the family, who came from Spain and settled in Jalisco. Unlike my mother’s Indigenous roots, my father’s family were white Europeans who came to Mexico to colonize it for Spain and the Catholic Church. Family lore says we’re blood relatives, through my grandmother, of San Toribio Romo, the Catholic patron saint of immigrants. He was a priest martyred during the Cristero War in the 1920s. My father used to say we have the blood of a saint pumping through our heart. In 1969, after serving in the Mexican Army, my father came to the U.S. on a work visa at age 19 to work in the Goleta fields. He took on various jobs — janitor, construction, gardening — and was so committed to becoming a U.S. citizen that he repeatedly tried to enlist in the Army to serve in Vietnam. But his limited English held him back. He used to tell a funny story about memorizing answers to recruiters’ questions. On his final attempt, he was thrown off by an unexpected question and confidently replied, “Yes, sir!” The recruiter burst out laughing and denied him again. Later, he’d joke that the question was probably, “Are you a homosexual?” This could have actually happened, since the military excluded gay people from serving until 1993. My parents met at a party hosted by the future founders of La Casa de la Raza when they were both 19. Neither had formal schooling or spoke English, and they arrived during a time of anti-war protests, an oil spill, Isla Vista riots, and immigration raids. Still, they agreed Santa Barbara

was the best place to raise a family and build a life.

LA MIGRA AGAIN My mom’s second encounter with Immigration came in 1970, right after giving birth to my oldest sister. Hospital staff told her that immigration officers had come for her, but they refused to let them take her while she was recovering. If not for the staff at Cottage Hospital, she likely would’ve been deported right after giving birth. My mom’s third encounter with Immigration happened while walking an elderly woman home on Chapala Street. Officers stopped her, asked for papers, and detained her when she had none — driving her to the Mexican consulate in Oxnard. In the lobby, people were giving fake names of Mexican celebrities, causing laughter. But, true to form, my mom gave her real name and information. She was able to obtain a temporary work visa then. My mom’s fourth encounter with Immigration happened during a raid at the Miramar Hotel, where she worked as a maid. She hid until the officials left. My mom believes that one of her coworkers who were detained during the raid reported her to immigration officers. They gave her a choice: Be deported alone or return to Mexico with her young daughter. Unfortunately, my father was in Mexico at this time, delivering money he had earned to his parents. My mom took my 5-year-old sister to Tijuana to get residency paperwork to come back. My sister acted as translator and impressed the officials so much one even offered to adopt her and have her live on his ranch with his ponies and bunnies — but my sister refused, loving her parents too much. Interestingly enough, my father never had encounters with Immigration. He did have the proper paperwork for the most part, but he claimed that being white with green eyes helped him avoid being deported more than proper paperwork.

Mother and father on the beach in Santa Barbara, not long after they met

TEAM U.S.A. My parents were Team U.S.A., always rooting for American teams. When I asked my mom why she sacrificed so much to live here, she said growing up in Mexico was harsh: Twelve people lived in an adobe hut with no water, power, or gas, amid violence in the streets and break-ins at home. Since immigrating to the U.S., she’d never gone hungry, always felt safe, always had a job, and always had money — things she never experienced in Mexico. Until I was 5, I lived in fear that my parents might be taken from me. That year they were finally able to become U.S. citizens. I remember teaching them the Pledge of Allegiance since I said it daily in kindergarten. That memory stays with me whenever I recite the pledge at council meetings, graduations, or on the Fourth of July. My family is not picture-postcard perfect. I have family who have served years in prison, but I also have family who have honorably served years in our military and law enforcement. Even though my parents never went to school, all of my siblings and I have graduated from college and now have careers in public service. My mother and father always worked at least two jobs to be able to provide for us here in Santa Barbara, working 14-hour days, seven days a week. My mother became disabled. My father died at 60 early in the morning while getting ready to head to work at UC Santa Barbara. When I graduated with honors from UCSB, it happened to fall on Father’s Day. To honor him, I wrote my dad’s name on my announcement cards, which caused my entire family to sob. Even though my parents worked manual labor jobs, they were able to own a few homes in Santa Barbara and rent them out to teachers, nurses, military service members, and fellow immigrants because they believed in paying it forward so that others could achieve the American dream as well. To echo back to Cory Booker’s words about being our ancestors’ dreams manifest, California’s booming economy relies on immigrant labor, and Santa Barbara’s long-standing tourism industry celebrates our culture. Nothing should hold us back from living freely. I urge everyone to participate in community events, support local businesses, and be loud and proud — I’ll be there with you. My term ends in 2028, and I encourage you to get involved politically. If you’ve thought about running for office or know someone who should, now is the time to continue making our ancestors’ dreams n into realities.

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INDEPENDENT CALENDAR

AUG. 14-20

the

FARMERS MARKET SCHEDULE THURSDAY

Carpinteria: 800 block of Linden Ave., 3-6:30pm

FRIDAY

8/14:

Wilderness Youth Project (WYP): Stories from the Wild Bring picnics, drinks, blankets, and chairs to listen to

friends and staff of WYP share their personal stories and captivating tales that highlight their unique connections with the outdoors. 6-8pm. WYP, 2040 Alameda Padre Serra. Free. Email development@wyp.org.

tinyurl.com/WYP-Stories

8/14-8/17, 8/20: PCPA Presents Something Rotten! Follow brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom in the 1590s as they write the world’s very first musical in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar known as “The Bard” as they realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self ... and all that jazz. The musical shows through August 23. 8pm, Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang. $25-$72. Call (805) 922-8313.

pcpa.org/events

8/14-8/15: More Theater/S.B. Presents Whalers’ Triptych III: Ahab’s Fable This original short play inspired by Moby-Dick will feature Stanley Hoffman as Melville’s infamous character Captain Ahab during his last days with the whale and will include an art installation by area visual artist Moxie Bright Evan. Thu.: 2pm (with tea service) Fri.: 7pm. Community Arts Workshop (CAW), 631 Garden St. $30. Call (805) 951-8648 or email info@moretheatersb.com.

moretheatersb.com

COURTESY

FRIDAY 8/15

SUNDAY

Goleta: Camino Real Marketplace, 10am-2pm

TUESDAY

Montecito: 1100 and 1200 blocks of Coast Village Rd., 8-11:15am

Old Town S.B.: 500-600 blocks of State St., 3-6:30pm

SATURDAY

WEDNESDAY

Downtown S.B.: Corner of State and Carillo sts., 8am-1pm

Solvang: Copenhagen Dr. and 1st St., 2:30-6:30pm

(805) 962-5354 sbfarmersmarket.org

FISHERMAN’S MARKET

SATURDAY Rain or shine, meet local fishermen on the Harbor’s commercial pier, and buy fresh fish (filleted or whole), live crab, abalone, sea urchins, and more. 117 Harbor Wy., 6-11am. Call (805) 259-7476.

cfsb.info/sat 8/15-8/17: Gem Faire Browse fine jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, beads, crystals, gold and silver, and more. Jewelry repair and ring sizing available while you shop. Fri.: noon-6pm; Sat.: 10am-6pm; Sun.: 10am-5pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real. Free-$7. Call (503) 252-8300.

tinyurl.com/GemFaire-Aug2025

SATURDAY 8/16

picnic to enjoy a live music set from Val-Mar Records and connect with the team from Spark Rescue followed by a screening of Wes Anderson’s 2018 animated film (rated PG-13) that tells the story of a 12-year-old ward, Atari, who searches for his exiled bodyguard dog, Spots, from Trash Island. 8:30pm. Sunken Gardens, S.B. County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa St. Free. Call (805) 893-3535.

artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/events

Jazz at the Lobero

Robert Glasper, 7:30pm. 33 E. Canon Perdido St. $62-$132. Call (805) 963-0761.

lobero.org/events

8/14-8/17, 8/20: Lost Chord Guitars Thu.: New Clementine. $10. Fri.: crying 4 kafka (acoustic). $5. Sat.: The Mends. $10. Sun.: The Soulshake. $10. Wed.: Lisa Marie Johnston. $10. 7pm. 1576 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang. 8pm. Ages 21+. Call (805) 331-4363.

lostchordguitars.com

8/14-8/17: M.Special Brewing Co. (Goleta) Thu.: Velvet Rope Trio, 5-7pm. Fri.: The Nombres, 7-9pm. Sat.: Undercover Supergroup, 7-9pm. Sun.: Carly Powers, 3-5pm. 6860 Cortona Dr., Ste. C, Goleta. 7-9pm. Free. Call (805) 968-6500.

mspecialbrewco.com

8/14-8/15, 8/17-8/20: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club Thu.: K-LITE Presents: An Evening with Bridget Benenate. Conversation: 6:30; show: 7:30pm. $10-$15. Fri.: Cornerstone with Ojai Department of Rhythm, 8:30pm. $15-$18. Ages 21+. Sun.: Taylor Made Tapestry: A Tribute to Carole King & James Taylor, 6:30pm. $26-$30. Mon.: Swing Dance Night with The Boss Cats, 7pm. $15-$18. Tue.: The Supervillains with B Foundation, 8:30pm. $20-$25. Ages 21+. Wed.: Okonski, Mae Powell, 8pm. $15-$20. 1221 State St. Call (805) 962-7776. sohosb.com

8/15: Carr Winery Barrel Room

movie Lilo & Stitch (rated G), a touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien she believes is a dog and how he helps mend her broken family. Complimentary popcorn and drinks. 10am. SBIFF’s Riviera Theatre, 2044 Alameda Padre Serra. Free. Call (805) 963-0023.

carrwinery.com/event

8/16: Together for Mako: A Community Event Join the

UCSB A&L Movie Night at the Sunken Garden: Isle of Dogs Bring low-back chairs, breathable blankets, and a

8/16:

8/16: Applebox Free Family Films: Lilo & Stitch See Disney’s 2003 animated

sbiffriviera.com/applebox

8/15:

Shows on Tap

gathering for appetizers, area beers and wine, and a silent auction to raise funds that support critical programs and to build a community center for the at-risk children in rural Ghana. 4-7pm. The Orchard, El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, 123 E. Canon Perdido St. Children: $20; GA: $60. Email christy@mako children.org.

givebutter.com/c/SBGatherforMako

PLEASE CONTACT THE VENUE TO CONFIRM HOURS AND EVENT CANCELLATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS.

COURTESY

THURSDAY 8/14

COURTESY

As always, find the complete listings online at independent.com/events. Submit virtual and in-person events at independent.com/eventsubmit.

TERRY ORTEGA

Sessions: Will Stephens Band, 7-9pm. 414 N. Salsipuedes St. Free. Ages 21+. Call (805) 965-7985.

8/15: Live at Ojai Underground Eliza Gilkyson, 7pm. $35. 616 Pearl St., Ojai. Email undergroundexchange@ ojaiartsexchange.com.

ojaiunderground.com

8/15: M.Special Brewing Co. (S.B.) Fri.: Mosaic Coyote. 8-10pm. Free. 634 State St. Call (805) 308-0050. mspecialbrewco.com 8/15: Restaurant Roy Nic & Joe, 7pm. 7 W. Carrillo St. Free. Call (805) 966-5636.

tinyurl.com/Nic-Joe-Aug15 Volunteer Opportunity

Fundraiser

Robert Glasper

8/15-8/17: Maverick Saloon Fri.: 33 Thunder, 8:30pm. Sat.: Tex Pistols, 8:30pm. Sun.: Jared Nels, 3-7pm. 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. 8:30-11:30pm. Call (805) 686-4785. Ages 21+.

mavericksaloon.com/eventcalendar

8/16-8/17: Cold Spring Tavern Sat.: The Winetones. Sun.: Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan. 5995 Stagecoach Rd. 1:30-4:30pm. Free. Call (805) 967-0066.

coldspringtavern.com

8/16-8/17: Hook’d Bar and Grill Sat.: Redfish, 4-7pm. Sun.: Mannish Boys, 1-4pm. 116 Lakeview Dr., Cachuma Lake. Free. Call (805) 350-8351.

hookdbarandgrill.com/music-onthe-water

8/17: Carhartt Family Wines Live Music 5pm. 2939 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. Free. Call (805) 693-5100. carharttfamilywines.com/eventscalendar 8/17, 8/20: S.B. Bowl Sun.: Slightly Stoopid “Step into Sun” Summer Tour, 6pm. $56.60-$82.50. Wed.: My Morning Jacket, MELT, 6:30pm. $45.50$76.50. 1122 N. Milpas St. Call (805) 962-7411.

sbbowl.com

8/19: Goleta Valley Historical Society Stow House: Music at the Ranch Spencer the Gardener, 5:30-7:30pm. 304 N. Los Carneros Rd., Goleta. Free. Email info@goletahistory .org.

goletahistory.org/music-at-theranch

8/20: Solvang Music in the Park Kelly’s Lot, 5-8pm. 1630 Mission Dr., Solvang. Free. Call (805) 688-0701.

solvangcc.com/music-in-the-park Civil Discourse

Protest

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COURTESY

8/16:

Goleta’s Dam Dinner This free community event will bring together friends and neighbors as tables and chairs will be set up by the dam with views of Lake Los Carneros and the mountains. Bring your own picnic dinner and beverages or purchase food from AR Catering and shaved ice from Kona Ice. There will be cornhole, facepainting for the kids, and bluegrass from the Salt Martians. Bring reusable utensils. 4-7pm. Enter off N. La Patera Ln. or Stow House, 304 N. Los Carneros Rd. Free. tinyurl.com/GoletaDamDinner-2025 8/16: Black Youth Leadership Summit 2025 S.B. County In the face of adverse school climates and anti-Blackness,

MONDAY 8/18

Gateway Educational Services will host an event that addresses these issues in a constructive and uplifting manner, providing leadership skills, community building, and a celebration of Black culture for our youth students who identify as Black or African American. Lunch will be provided. Advance registration is required. 9:30am-5pm. SBCC West Campus, 721 Cliff Dr. Free. Call (805) 895-1153.

8/18: PFLAG Santa Barbara Summer Social Join to celebrate the launch of a new social committee and to celebrate the end of summer with in-person community and connection. Use the QR code to register. 5:30-7:30pm. Stevens Park, 258 Canon Dr. Free. Email pflagsantabarbara@gmail.com.

tinyurl.com/PFLAG-Social

tinyurl.com/BlackYouthSummit-2025

TUESDAY 8/19 COURTESY

SUNDAY 8/17 8/17: Dylanfest Ojai 2025 This all-day celebration will feature food, wine, and music from Dougie Poole, Brennan Wedl, vilagerrr, Brody Price, Nicole Lawrence, and Pouty. 3-10pm. Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave. Children: $10; GA: $35-$65. COURTESY

tinyurl.com/DylanFest-2025

8/19:

Edén Muñoz

8/17:

Edén Muñoz: Como En Los Viejos Tiempos Tour As the lead vocalist of

the group Colmillo Norteño in 2006 and part of the band Calibre 50 until 2022, Edén Muñoz, now solo, will bring his Regional Mexico sound that is a blend of norteño, banda, mariachi, and more to S.B. Como vocalista principal del grupo Colmillo Norteño en 2006 y miembro de la banda Calibre 50 hasta 2022, Edén Muñoz, ahora en solitario, traerá a S.B. su sonido regional mexicano, una mezcla de norteño, banda, mariachi y mucho más. 7pm. Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St. $73-$128. Call (805) 963-9589.

arlingtontheatresb.com

S.B. Pacific Pride Film Screening: She’s the He You are invited to attend

the West Coast premiere of the 2025 coming-out and coming-of-age film that follows high school seniors Alex and Ethan, who pretend to be trans women to get into the girls’ lockers and what happens when Ethan realizes she really is trans, followed by a cast and crew panel discussion that will include S.B.’s own Siobhan McCarthy. 6pm. Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St. $12 donation. Call (805) 963-3636.

Thur 8/14 7:30 pm

tinyurl.com/Shes-The-He

K-LITE PRESENTS:

WEDNESDAY 8/20

AN EVENING WITH BRIDGET BENENATE

8/20: Toast to the Coast Happy Hour Fundraiser Join S.B. Channelkeeper and toast to clean water

CORNERSTONE

Fri 8/15 8:30 pm

WITH OJAI DEPARTMENT OF RHYTHM

and healthy habitats along our beloved coastline with live music, refreshments, and a raffle packed with prizes to raise funds to protect local watersheds and marine ecosystems. 5:30pm. Rincon Brewery, 205 Santa Barbara St. $30-$35. Call (805) 563-3377 or email info@sbck.org.

The Largest Consignment Shop...

REGGAE

Sat 8/16 9:00 pm

ZAAANG PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS:

GUERRA DE BANDAS

tinyurl.com/Toast-Coast

Sun 8/17 6:30 pm

TAYLOR MADE TAPESTRY:

Gear Up For School

A TRIBUTE TO CAROLE KING & JAMES TAYLOR

¡Prepárense para la escuela! supplies giveaway event will also include art activities, resource tables, and a special appearance by the “Barrio Bus,” a mobile art space created by the Turning Wheel Project based in San Diego. Este evento de entrega gratuita de mochilas y material escolar también incluirá actividades artísticas, mesas informativas y la presencia especial del «Barrio Bus», un espacio artístico móvil creado por el proyecto Turning Wheel Project, con sede en San Diego. 11am2pm. Ortega Park, 604 E. Ortega St. Free. Email valerie .jaimes39@gmail.com. tinyurl.com/SB-SchoolSupplies

SWING DANCE NIGHT WITH THE BOSS CATS

COURTESY

8/16:

Sixth Annual S.B. School Supply Drive/Campaña anual de recolección de útiles escolares de S.B. This backpack and school

...in the Tri-Counties

Mon 8/18 6:00 pm

Tues 8/19 8:30 pm

*CANCELED*

THE SUPERVILLAINS WITH THE B FOUNDATION Wed 8/20 8:00 pm -

OKONSKI

WITH MAE POWELL Thurs 8/21 9:00 pm

PANCHO AND THE WIZARDS WITH HUG FOR OUR FULL LINEUP, PLEASE VISIT

SOHOSB.COM

1221 STATE STREET • 962-7776

3845 State St. La Cumbre Plaza

805-770-7715 missdaisy.org

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SATURDAY

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THURSDAY

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WEDNESDAY

OCT

SEPT

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EARL MINNIS & JOHN KAY PRESENT

A NEW DOCUMENTARY WEST COAST PREMIERE BENEFIT SCREENING FOR THE MAUE KAY FOUNDATION SATURDAY

AUG

Q&A to follow with John Kay and Nick St. Nicholas. Premium tickets include meet-and-greet reception following the film, hosted by John Kay.

SATURDAY

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he concept behind Galavant is simple: intimate, outdoor concerts. Sophia and Barrett Taylor are the husband-and-wife team behind the monthly series that has been popping up around Santa Barbara since 2021. “We’re keeping things really simple … backyard concerts, community coming together, enjoying creative music in a creative space,” says Sophia. Venues are mostly residential backyards throughout Montecito and Santa Barbara, and often, ticket holders aren’t given addresses until hours before. Food is available for pre-purchase, but BYO picnicking Guests gather at the Botanic Garden to enjoy a Galavant event. is encouraged, children get in for free, and the music is always the focus. there was a need for more of a focus on The uncomplicated approach behind the artist, not the background music,” says Galavant may be the reason why it’s still Sophia. It’s an invitation for the public to under the radar to so many locals. And yet experience a show sometimes reserved only the impact it’s making on the music scene for record execs and industry elite; sessions that spotlight the work of up-and-coming, locally and regionally is huge. Galavant was born just as the world began new-to-the-scene musicians. The entire evening is curated to harness opening up again. While the pandemic was difficult for many, musicians are still recov- relaxation. “Sophia does it all,” says Valdas ering from the impact that shuttered so Karalis of Val-Mar Records. The curated many area and regional venues or wiped out experience starts from the moment guests entire labels. The idea for the roving series check in—with light tunes often supplied was to cater to artists and people who love by vinyl deejay Val-Mar Records, or fresh art, wanted something outside, and were eats in the form of everything from lumpia to sushi. eager to reconnect with their community. Sophia spent her childhood in Los AngeThe result is a platform for musical evolules, training and performing as a jazz bassist tion and growth. Guests are returning to the pop-up’s intimate affairs without expecta- until she eventually made her way toward tions or judgement. And the artists deliver in Hollywood with a degree in music business. a way they don’t have to for sell-out crowds “I grew up as a band kid,” says Sophia. She’s or rowdy venues. “Our goal is to create more utilizing her connections to host a pedigree opportunities,” Sophia says. of talent previously unsupported in Santa Along with repeat customers, artists are Barbara. reaping the benefits that a Galavant audience Barrett, a sound engineer with experience provides; the trickle effect of showcasing setting up both private events and around one’s work on a rolling grassy hill in Mon- town at venues like SOhO, brings an added tecito might one day mean lining up a gig level of professionalism unexpected in such at SOhO or serving as opener at the Santa a unique setting. “Everyone is always really Barbara Bowl. It’s the opportunity that so impressed with Barrett’s sound technique,” says Karalis. few artists get. “Creating a space for musicians to have a If you don’t have a chance to snag tickets to present audience is what Barrett and I will their next monthly pop-up, be on the lookalways champion and we thank everyone for out for another Galavant All Day, a repeat honoring those moments for their stories to of the “micro festival” the group hosted on be received,” wrote Sophia in an Instagram a private coastal farm two years ago. Get a post. peek into Sophia’s style at the Santa Barbara While many of the events tend to sell Botanic Garden’s signature summer soiree out, sometimes the venues only support 35 series, where Galavant curates all tunes. guests. That is entirely the point. The spot—Meaghan Clark Tiernan light is centered around the music. “Santa Barbara only has so much of a For more information and news on the series, sign up for market that incorporates music—we saw notifications at galavant.live.

L I F E PAGE 35

SIOBHAN MCCARTHY’S FILM SHE’S THE HE COMES TO THE LUKE THEATRE

he screening of the new comedy She’s the He at the Marjorie Luke Theatre on Tuesday, August 19, is an exciting homecoming for the movie’s writer and director, Santa Barbara–raised filmmaker Siobhan McCarthy. The film is an homage to the highschool-hijinks comedies of the ’90s and 2000s with a modern, queer-positive bent. The story follows best guy friends Alex and Ethan, who pretend to be trans women to stifle rumors that they are romantically involved (and give Alex a chance to sidle up to his crush). When Ethan realizes she actually is trans, the film becomes a Gen-Z coming of age and identity story. McCarthy wrote this film in just a few days. The entire production took less than a ‘She’s the He’ screens at the Luke on Aug. 19. year, and She’s the He premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) in March 2025. “By the The film comments on, jokes about, and beginning of 2024, my friends and I could feel defies the hateful rhetoric and narratives it in the water—the tides were turning against directed toward the trans community—narratrans people,” McCarthy says. “If we had tried tives that lead to real-world violence. “There is this even a year later, it would never have hap- a real value to not only presenting trans stories pened. Fear of the controversy and the anger genuinely, but presenting stories, especially this administration will bring upon anyone with social lessons within them, through the who is willing to engage with this subject has comic lens,” McCarthy says. “People are more really made the industry a very shy place.” willing to learn or have their minds opened As a teen, McCarthy participated in the when they’re laughing.” While inherent politiSanta Barbara High School theater depart- cization of the queer and trans community ment. They moved to L.A. to pursue their makes this film a socially relevant protest dream of working in the film industry, even- piece, it is, at its core, a comedy about teenagtually graduating from UCLA with a filmmak- ers. McCarthy describes it as “a classic high ing degree, and starting their career working school comedy about kids doing dumb kid for another Santa Barbara native, cinematog- stuff and learning the lessons that kids need rapher Marz Miller. “[Miller] took a chance to learn to find love and acceptance for one on me and let me come work on his set,” says another…. It’s the kind of movie teens watch at McCarthy, “and I was so obsessed with every- a sleepover and get to know every line.” Presented with support from Pacific Pride thing that I put my nose to the grindstone and read every book and interview I could Foundation, the City of Santa Barbara, and the find…just to learn how it all worked.” Marjorie Luke Theatre (where McCarthy perThe genesis of She’s the He was sparked formed as a child), this screening of She’s the when McCarthy met producers Jay and Mark He is free (the suggested donation of $12 helps Duplass (producers of Tangerine) and was support Pacific Pride). Members of the cast and “blown away” by their attitudes toward inde- production team, McCarthy included, will host pendent filmmaking. “They were willing to a Q&A after the show (the film has a majority take a bet on me and on stories no one else queer and trans cast, adding to the authentic wanted to tell,” says McCarthy. “I didn’t think representation of the trans experience). “It’s someone like me could really do this, because so miraculous to have all of these things fall the truth of the matter is that the only really into place,” McCarthy says, “and … getting high-profile trans directors in this industry, the to bring the project back to my hometown.” only ones who managed to make it through to —Maggie Yates blockbuster studio scale, are the Wachowskis. And they were only able to make it there She’s the He screens at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, because they spent years stuck in the closet, at the Marjorie Luke Theatre (721 E. Cota St.). See forced by the industry to work under false luketheatre.org/event/shes-the-he. View the film trailer at identities, as different versions of themselves.” shesthehemovie.com.

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REGGAE, ROCK ’N’ ROLL, AND ROBERT RACHELLI COURTESY

SPENCER THE GARDENER DRUMMER REFLECTS ON HIS MUSIC, INFLUENCES, AND BRINGING HIS ALL TO LIVE PERFORMANCES

Drummer Robert Rachelli

eady to rock out with the relaxing appeal of reggae beats? Robert Rachelli is known for his drumming in Santa Barbara County rock and reggae bands, including Lion I’s, Turning Trees, and Spencer the Gardener, a well-known Santa Barbara–based band known for its unique fusion-pop music style. When Rachelli was growing up, he listened to a lot of progressive rock, which included artists like Elvis Costello, The Police, Bob Marley, and Kate Bush. These artists inspired him to mirror that rhythm: “My mom and uncle were going to a Yes concert, and they said, ‘Hey, do you want to come?’—I wanted to go because they were going to an Italian restaurant. We didn’t ever go out to restaurants.” Once young Rachelli saw Alan White on the drums, he was hooked. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God. What is that guy doing? I have to do that.’ It was an epiphany.” Rachelli was born in Boyle Heights and grew up in Ojai. He started playing drums in 1988. “My family was pretty poor, so I didn’t have a drum kit,” said Rachelli. “But I found a stick, and then I had a dowel, and then I had this crutch and a leather chair, and I put the crutch up, and that was my cymbal. I put Led Zeppelin on and I’d be drumming, but then my friend would invite me over to his house, and he let me play his brother’s kit.” When Rachelli was 18, he decided to forge his own creative path by dedicating himself to drumming, and he finally got his own official drum kit. “I gathered my first garage band in a basement, drumming for six to eight hours a day, and then I got asked to join this cover band, and I met this guy that I ended up meeting through a friend, and he came over and played keyboards,” Rachelli said. “After six months of drumming in 1988, I was in

my first working band, then touring up and down California and Mexico with my band Lion I’s and Papa Nata,” Rachelli said. Lion I’s became really popular in Southern California. After that, “with Spencer the Gardener, we played the Ventura Theater, and we played clubs, and there would be lines out the door,” Rachelli said. Rachelli has been drumming for more than 37 years, collaborating with industry professionals and equally passionate musicians such as Ed Kowalczyk, Dan Zimmerman, and the front man of Spencer the Gardener, Spencer Barnitz. Rachelli consistently performs in the Santa Barbara area with a variety of styles and covers in multiple bands. “With Spencer the Gardener, we’re always up in Santa Barbara. It’s been five years since I started working with them, and it’s always fun playing with Spencer. You never know what’s going to happen sometimes, but that keeps it on the exciting side,” Rachelli said. He reflected on his most memorable local show with Spencer the Gardener: “A couple of years ago, we did a show on the sand facing the Santa Barbara pier. That’s probably the most people I’ve played for. I think there were around 10,000 people there. I was looking back, and I thought the crowd went probably two football fields or more back.” Though Rachelli has dedicated years of effort to his drumming performances, he balances this playing with strenuous outside work and hours of practice. Like many musicians, he has a day job. “I’m a pool guy. So, I’ve got around 40 customers, and I’m in Ojai, so it’s hot from June to October. So, I’m doing that work and then I come back, load out my truck and load all my drums in, and drive up and set up to play,” Rachelli said. “Luckily, my fiancée, Kimberly, helps me, which is awesome. And she also does art. She’s an artist, so she’ll draw and paint Spencer the Gardener.” Rachelli emphasizes the importance of pursuing his interests along with what he does in his day-to-day life by showing up and “being early, trying to have a good performance even if I’m exhausted from my pool route. I chose to be a drummer. So every time I perform, I think, ‘Now I’m here, I’m going to load my stuff in, and we are going to make it happen.’ So, I am always trying to be creative and keep working at my craft, so that I’m always getting better.” Some final words from Rachelli to creative people and drummers are: “Have fun. Practice your craft and get as good as you can, and watch other musicians. Go check out other bands. Stay on it and try to get better, and have a good attitude and be humble and positive.” —Ella Bailey Learn more about Rachelli at robertrachellidrums.com. See Robert Rachelli playing with Spencer the Gardener at the free Music at the Ranch series at Stow House on Tuesday, August 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. See goletahistory.org/music-at-the-ranch for details.

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IN CONVERSATION WITH RYAN MINOR, AUTHOR OF THE TROUBLESOME CLOUD

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Leslie Dinaberg’s award-winning On Culture offers a snapshot view of the best of local culture and fun happenings in the worlds of music, theater, visual art, film, dance, books, lectures, and more.

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CHLOE MINOR

NEW BOOK SHOWCASES PERSEVERANCE, POETIC LANGUAGE, AND NARRATIVE PLAY ooking for a moving summer read or a whimsical poetic allegory full of digital drawings? The Troublesome Cloud, by Santa Barbara creative and Westmont English and History Professor Ryan Minor, is an exploratory tale of navigating unexpected change, filled with fantasy and detail. An author, illustrator, and educator, Minor imagined this story in his twenties, inspired by the visual creations of Tim Burton and Dr. Seuss. After completing graduate school at UCSB and earning his PhD in history, getting married, and having children, Minor returned to his art and began to learn the process of creating digital images on his iPad. These images were the origin of this work but became tangible this past year over his break from teaching in the winter. Ryan Minor at his Chaucer’s Books signing “The aesthetic I’ve always been drawn to is black and white and dark, to the art so far have been heartwarmingly positive. Minor’s teaching of global issues as a humanities but not scary dark,” said Minor. He played with professor at Westmont College and personal experirhymes and wording to create an allegorical piece ence with change and struggle influenced the work. that is intriguing to all age groups. “I love teaching, writing composition, and I love messing with the “In recent years, my focus in teaching, especially idea of genre and form, and breaking that down to modern history, is just that there’s this tendency to its metacognitive ideas. The structure of this work become apathetic, and apathy doesn’t do anybody is in four acts, and I labeled them literally like what any good. Regardless of whether you agree or disa four-act story would be, rather than give them agree with the direction of society at the moment, I think it’s important to hang on to hope and push names, because I thought, why not?” This story is also made from a lens of societal through regardless. … I am always looking at the observation and teaching perseverance. “When I dark, negative things that are happening, but also was writing the dialogue, I wanted it to be something forcing myself to not lose sight of hope because you that you read and you either enjoy it, and you get it, just have to have motivation.” When creating the or you just don’t get it. … My dad’s 88, and I shared book, Minor was pondering, “even when you go the book with [him], and I shared the book with back to your home, you’re back, but it’s not the same. another person who’s been going through a really And you have to cope and deal with where it is at rough medical condition, and they both told me the this point.” “I’ve always been a creative first. I’ve been writsame thing — the last line about change really resonated with them, and that change happens. Change ing music and taking photographs and drawing my is a part of life, and you don’t always get to go back whole life. So, this is also just a creative outlet for fun. to the beginning, but sometimes you can find some- Creating is always something I enjoy,” he said. thing that helps you cope with the current situation Minor encourages other creatives to pursue that in a better way.” project they might be sitting on. “I spent probably Minor is referring to the ending of the book where 600 hours on the drawings and probably another the main character learns to adapt to their situa- 200 hours on the dialogue. … It’s important to tion instead of finding an all-encompassing solution. understand that things take time, and not feeling He elaborates, “I’ve wrestled a lot with this idea of like you’re not accomplishing it because you’re not unexpected change, and as a historian and thinking getting it done in a week. … It’s important to have about the types of things people have gone through patience and be kind to yourself when you don’t have at different points, life can be going and then all as much progress as you’d hoped.” —Ella Bailey of a sudden, something really drastic changes, and you either give in, or you just keep trying to find a The Troublesome Cloud is for sale at Chaucer’s Books and online at solution until something presents itself,” Minor said. bottleconjuror.com/troublesomecloud. Learn more about Ryan MiThough the book is newly published, the responses nor at bottleconjuror.com/about.

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Robert Glasper at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2024

hen Robert Glasper gets his jazz on, it’s usually wrapped in layers of seductive or slamming groove and text (sung, rapped, spoken). The five-time Grammy winner, a major figure in jazz for the past decadeand-change, and a Blue Note recording artist, is both an heir apparent to the great tradition of soul and R&B-inflected jazz modes going back to the 1960s, and a kingpin of a hybridized new brand of soul-jazz. Hear what Glasper’s all about in real time when he steers his Black Radio III tour through and makes his Santa Barbara debut at the Lobero Theatre on Saturday, August 16, a make-up date for a booking originally slated for January. Mark this show as one—like Don Was at the Lobero last year—with appeal for jazz lovers, in the “real” sense, and fans of general musical values and virtues, soul and otherwise. While this will be Glasper’s first official show in S.B., he showed up in the 805 as the highlight of the Rhodes Festival at Oxnard College, celebrating the iconic old-school sound of the Fender Rhodes piano. Glasper’s signature blend of keyboard taste, soul, and chops left an indelible impression, and something distinct from such other artists as smooth jazzer Jeff Lorber and more specifically R&B-steeped singer-keyboardist Kandace Springs. That Glasper was onto a fresh new sound and concept, weaving together jazz elements with cinematic soundscapes and hip-hop/R&B notions, became apparent to a broader audience and critical base with the arrival of his 2012 album Black Radio. The Black Radio series of albums and self-invented attitudes continues, up through 2023’s double album Black Radio III (Supreme Edition), winner of the Best R&B Grammy for that year. Glasper’s guest list of cameos on the album cut across the jazz, rap and soul worlds—including Killer Mike, Esperanza Spalding, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lalah Hathaway, Common, Gregory Porter, Ledisi, Jennifer Hudson, and India Arie. Collaboration is part of his game, big-time. But fast-forward to his recently released album Let Go, and we find an instrumental “chill” vehicle of a record, with very little soloing, lyrics (although there are ambient voices in the mix) and an overall laid-back, late-night soul-simmer of an album. The 47-year-old Glasper’s musical journey is still lined with surprises along the way. The Houston-born artist has a musical foundation that rose out of the church, like many soul and jazz musicians, and he almost orchestrates his concerts and recording projects like multifaceted church services. Among his influences are jazz-flavored ’70s R&B paradigms of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, and the free-spirited and exploratory career path of Miles Davis—whose legacy Glasper has intersected with his tribute album Everything Is Beautiful and as musical curator and composer for the unfortunately dubious Davis biopic Miles Ahead. As Glasper has asserted, “I’m obviously influenced by Miles Davis—even just the psyche of how he thinks about music…how he moves through, and always wanted to reflect the times he’s in. That’s what I’m doing now. He opened that door.” —Josef Woodard See Robert Glasper Saturday, August 16, 7:30 p.m., at the Lobero Theatre (33 E. Canon Perdido St.). See lobero.org/events/robert-glasper.

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ON the Beat On the Beat spotlights all-things music and music-adjacent newsletter/column by music and arts journalist-critic Josef Woodard

Summertime Getaway to

Big Bear Lake

COURTESY FRIENDS OF BIG BEAR VALLEY

Close Escape

COURTESY VISIT BIG BEAR

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NEST-CAM COUPLE: In a juniper high above Big Bear, celebrity raptors Jackie and Shadow with one of their spring chicks. The Big Bear Bald Eagle Nest live camera (friendsofbigbearvalley.org/ eagles) started streaming in September 2021 and now has more than 680,000 subscribers.

definite upside to visiting the mountain town of Big Bear is you don’t have to drive through Greater Los Angeles to get there from Santa Barbara. There’s a back way—it speeds eastbound through Ventura County and jogs over to the Pearblossom Highway, a mostly flat but sometimes rolling strip of superheated Mojave Desert asphalt that delivers you to a twisting climb from barren flats and Joshua trees to the granite peaks and pines of San Bernardino National Forest, home to Big Bear Lake.

Kayaking, Eagles, and Views, Oh My! by Keith Hamm For a quick trip in late July, my family and I, including our two dogs, timed our getaway to steer clear of Big Bear’s summer weekend congestion, settling in midweek for easy outdoor exploration and a few nice sit-down meals.

STAY

After the 200-mile drive from Santa Barbara, we unpacked at Black Forest Lodge (blackforestlodge.com), which features standalone cabins and multiplex-style rooms scattered among the tall pines along the main boulevard through town. Our double-queen loft unit—just a few steps from the common swimming pool and hot tub—had been recently remodeled with a new bathroom, furniture and appliances, a roomy kitchen, dining area, hide-a-bed sectional, and woodburning fireplace, plus a small balcony. Every morning, there’s free coffee, fruit, and breakfast carbs in the main lobby. Dogs are welcome at Black Forest Lodge. In fact, the whole of Big Bear seems pretty much dog friendly, and its annual summer Puptopia Festival offers package deals on lodging and outings.

EAT

On our first night in town, we grabbed a table at Stella Luna (stellalunarestaurant.com), located in the bustling village hub. All three of the restaurant’s big roll-up garage doors were open to the big patio, drawing patrons and their friendly dogs into an indoor-outdoor blend of full-bar regulars and hungry travelers. Our stromboli appetizer was perfectly toasted and 40

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AUGUST 14, 2025

arrived with a side of house-made marinara. The beef in my burger—topped with caramelized onions, smoked gouda, and bacon—came from grass-fed cows from a San Diego ranch. My daughter dug the crispy chicken-strip sandwich, sided with sweet potato fries and roasted squash. Stella Luna’s is a “scratch kitchen,” as they say, meaning most items are prepared in-house from fresh raw ingredients—we could tell. We enjoyed another memorable meal at Captain’s Anchorage (captainsanchorage.com), a classic hardwood-and-brass dinner destination with requisite muted lighting and roughhewn timber framing. If Captain’s could commit to 23andMe, it’d likely find a first cousin in Santa Barbara’s own Harry’s Plaza Café, with a DNA dash of Cold Spring Tavern. There’s also a quiet patio out back, with occasional live music. Friendly wait staff served up what you might expect—steak, chicken, and chops, along with an impressive seafood selection. We started with a steamed artichoke, moved on to soups and salads, main-coursed with sauteed chicken and a porterhouse chop, and tied off the night with a slice of deliciously fluffy cheesecake with strawberries and chocolate drizzle.

One of the best ways to take in mountaintop views—without having to commit to a steep hike—is to ride the Sky Chair lift at Big Bear Mountain Resort, which summits at an elevation of 8,200 feet. From there, the panoramic sights are among the highest of the 2,650-square-mile Santa Ana River Watershed, which drains the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and San Jacinto mountains to the ocean at faraway Huntington Beach. Also at the top, a bar-and-grill walk-up sports a semi-full bar, burgers, chili dogs, and—better yet—jalapeño cheddar sausage dogs, any of which can be enjoyed on picnic tables or inside the connecting lodge. The chairlift ride is also open to hikers aiming for remote trail access and mountain bikers who bomb the snowless off-season slopes sculpted with berms, banks, and jumps. Back in the car, we cruised the 17-mile lake loop through the village of Fawnskin and past wooded beaches popular with shore fishers and dotted with tent and trailer campsites. Big Bear’s north shore is much quieter, with shaded picnic spots, such as Juniper Point, and nearby trailheads, including Cougar Crest Trail and the easy, dog-friendly Woodland interpretive loop. As you might expect, there are plenty of kayak, paddle-

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board, and bike and e-bike rental companies scattered along the main drag. For a mellow paddle shoving off from Pine Knot Marina, my daughter and I climbed aboard a two-person kayak with Get Boards (getboards.com), which also rents out standup paddleboards and, come winter, snowboard, skis, and related gear. For e-bikes, we heard good things about Goldsmiths (goldsmithsports.com) but, coming from Santa Barbara, that popular battery-powered glide isn’t quite as tempting as it used to be, at least for us. Like Get Boards, Goldsmiths operates year-round, with gear rentals—including downhill mountain bikes for those high-speed thrill rides at Big Bear Mountain Resort. G. CORONA

GREAT LAKE: Bird’s-eye view of the west end of Big Bear Lake, with popular swim spot China Island in the foreground.

ON THE WATER: The author and his daughter shove off from Pine Knot Marina, on Big Bear Lake’s south shore.

Years ago, we visited Big Bear Alpine Zoo (bigbearzoo .org), when it seemed little more than a small, underfunded rehab headquarters for injured and orphaned wildlife. A lot has changed. These days, it’s newer, bigger, and better for its animals and visitors alike. There’s a few exotics—snow leopards, for example—but the facility’s real stars are its endemic species, large animals most Californians are familiar with but haven’t seen up close, including golden eagles, mule deer, coyote, mountain lions, a three-legged San Joaquin kit fox, loping gray wolves, a grizzly, and full-grown cinnamon black bear that was orphaned and rescued as a cub from a wildfire. All in all, there’s no shortage of family-friendly recreational activities to be had in Big Bear. And if you’re looking for a classic reprieve from sweaty exertions in direct sunlight, there’s always the Bowling Barn (bowlingbarn.com), with 16 lanes, an arcade, and pool tables. After three days, we’d just scratched the surface. At the same time, we’d seen and done a lot. With that big blue lake in the rearview, we took the back way home.

For more information, visit bigbear.com.

Science & Tech

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Cenfire CEO Seena Partokia

Goleta Startup Takes on ‘Vampire Power’

ngineers frequently wrestle with ominous-sounding challenges that have bigger effects on the planet — and your wallet — than you might think: thermal runaway, electromagnetic interference, and dielectric breakdown. The ones working at Goleta startup Cenfire, meanwhile, are taking aim at a problem that sounds straight-up spooky: “vampire currents.” Vampire currents are the small but constant trickles of electricity that leak from plugged-in devices, even when they’re powered off—and they add up. Globally, an estimated 13,140 terawatt-hours of electricity are wasted every year this way. That’s more than 1.5 times the annual energy use of the United States.

size of a stack of six nickels and takes roughly half a second to switch—Cenfire’s MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) switch is smaller than a grain of rice and flips on and off in microseconds. “Several orders of magnitude faster,” said Partokia. It doesn’t wear out like traditional relays because of its small size and low mass. “You don’t have to worry about reliability.” The idea of eliminating power waste at the hardware level could have wide-reaching implications. “There are over five billion power adapters globally,” said Partokia. “Even a small reduction in leakage across all those devices could have a massive climate and economic impact.” Cenfire has begun pilot deployments with partners in aerospace, consumer electronics, and energy—though the company is not yet publicly disclosing details about its manufacturing roadmap or broader distribution timeline. Partokia, who previously worked in power semiconductors and at MEMS relay firm Menlo Micro, said that making switches more efficient could unlock smarter battery management in electric vehicles, reduce energy loss in data centers, and even improve performance in satellites. Cenfire is part of a growing number of hardware startups tapping into the region’s engineering talent. With UCSB’s strong materials and electrical engineering programs—and a tech history that includes aerospace, semiconductors, and defense—Goleta is and has been a hub for energy innovation. The company’s name—Cenfire—is a nod to one of the earliest MEMS switches: Centurion, a nowdefunct IBM design. “Our approach outperforms it in every way,” said Partokia. “The team joked that we were setting Centurion on fire.” Though Cenfire is still quite young, its focus on tiny switches is earning big attention. With global energy efficiency mandates tightening and the demand for resilient, low-power electronics rising, Partokia sees an opening. “Switches are everywhere,” he said. “If we can improve them, we can make a difference everywhere too.” n

Cenfire Says Its Rice-Sized Relay Has Big Potential for Reducing Energy Waste by Ella Heydenfeldt Cenfire, a spinout from Goleta-based MEMS foundry Atomica, says it has a solution: a tiny solidstate switch that all but eliminates these losses. CEO Seena Partokia describes the technology as “a highefficiency valve for electricity”—a silicon-based alternative to traditional mechanical relays that’s smaller, faster, and longer-lasting. Compared to a common electromechanical relay like the Panasonic AGN200A03—which is about the

The fundamental building block of the MEMs switch, the unit cell is smaller than the head of a pin.

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On the Hunt for the Best Breakfast Burrito T he “best” breakfast burrito along the Central

FOOD & DRINK

Coast has yet to be found, but unofficial burrito reviewer Steve Vivaldi might be getting close. Perhaps more popularly recognized for his Instagram, @steveeatgood, Vivaldi has been rating and uploading video reviews of burrito spots along the Central Coast for the past year. “I’ve always liked breakfast burritos,” Vivaldi said. “And for whatever reason, I just started being interested in finding a good one in Santa Barbara, and I was struggling to find a good one.”

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p.42 & FOOD DRINK

Feasting On a Video Series of Burrito Reviews Up and Down the Central Coast BY TIA TRINH

Originally from Sacramento, Vivaldi recalled his favorite hometown joint: Adalberto’s, a quick go-to spot where he would order the same breakfast burrito again and again. After moving down for school at Santa Barbara City College, he set out trying to find his next best burrito spot. He’s continued his search through today, now as a fifth-year undergraduate at UC Santa Barbara with a major in Comparative Literature and emphasis in East Asian Studies. The reviews started in his big family group chat. “I just recorded [myself] doing a review of [a] burrito. I sent it in my family group chat, and I just thought it was so funny,” Vivaldi said. He was encouraged to post the videos online and soon after, created his now popular and growing account, @steveeatgood. The videos are short and spliced with clips of Vivaldi eating the burrito and pointing out different parts of the burrito itself or giving some context about the restaurant. But every video ends with his rating of the burrito, a score out of 10. The secret behind the ratings is simple. “It’s just the flavor,” he said. “It really is just the quality that they produce.” Vivaldi has reviews of burritos from places stretching from San Luis Obispo all the way down to Montecito, where he’s tried a number of unique finds, from bluetortilla-wrapped burritos to simple-but-classic burritos loaded with cheese, chorizo, and eggs. He explained how in each video, he looks to find that balance between a professional review as well as keeping it lighthearted for viewers. “I want to remain respectful of anyone who wants to open up a restaurant and provide food for others,” he said. “I want to do the restaurant justice. And again, I want to be respectful.” His reviews have led him to find new spots and return

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AUGUST 14, 2025

The Central Coast breakfast burrito researcher Steve Vivaldi

to old ones. The comment sections are filled with support for the reviews, surprise at the find, and even recommendations for places to try. Even in his Instagram DMs, Vivaldi said that many people have also started to share their recommendations or personal experiences going to a burrito place that he recommended. It’s his way of finding community in Santa Barbara. His next stop however, is on the other side of the world. He’ll be studying abroad in Taiwan this upcoming semester, and he’s excited to practice his Mandarin and try new foods. It’s also the perfect opportunity to expand his coverage and include similar videos like his breakfast burrito reviews. “I want to build it into something with more depth,” he said, before adding, “like with interviews and providing historical or cultural contexts.” Vivaldi explained how he’s deeply inspired by Anthony Bourdain and his travels around the world trying new foods and getting to know each country, restaurant, and chef. Burrito review videos was the first step; expanding his reach to other parts of the world is next.

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“I view food as one of the main cornerstones of what brings people together,” he said. “It’s a place where it’s generally just mostly joy and it’s common ground that people can share.” Creating videos like his reviews is his way of connecting with others at home and in new places. “The thing I like about breakfast burritos is that there’s so many different kinds,” he said. At the same time, that makes it more difficult to find the “best” one. For now, his favorite is at Cat & Cloud in Santa Cruz. But while he’s still in Santa Barbara, Vivaldi remains on the lookout for the best breakfast burrito around town. As he continues to review breakfast burritos and search for new foods to try, he’s also working to build his Instagram account into something that will allow him to be a communicator when it comes to food. Finding the connections between people, food, and culture are the backbone of what he continues to do. “Eat good,” Vivaldi said. It’s his passion and what he hopes to share with the people he meets in person or through his reviews.

opa!

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Greek Festival Returns COURTESY PHOTOS

INGRID BOSTROM PHOTOS

packaged goods

Riviera Mushrooms Lion’s Mane Jerky comes in four flavors:Black Pepper, Chili Cheeze, Savory Teriyaki, and Cajun Spice.

This Lion’s Mane Jerky Is Delicious

yle Eckert got into mushrooms while

Kyle Eckert’s Riviera Mushrooms Turns Healthy Fungi into Tasty Treats on the Westside

Dancing at the Santa Barbara Greek Festival

he Greek Festival returns to Santa

Barbara on August 15 and 16 with promises of mouth-watering food as well as a $3,000 raffle prize. Presented by the Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, the event will be at Chase Palm Park, transforming it into a Mediterranean celebration.

Greek Food and Drink to be Enjoyed with Live Greek Music and Dance BY ALICE DEHGHANZADEH

Alongside live Greek music and dance performances by local dance groups, an array of foods are to be indulged in. The offerings include gyros, hummus and pita, loukoumades, spanakopita, Greek salad, baklava, souvlaki, saganaki, and pastitsio. Drinks include local draft beers, imported Greek beers, Greek wine tasting, and Loux imported Greek sodas. The band The 4 Greeks will be performing as well as DJ Pete Loukatos and several dancing groups. Festival organizer Alice Matiosian shared that the goal of the Greek Festival is to “continue in sharing and celebrating Greek culture, food, and entertainment with the Central Coast and to raise money for Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. As a nonprofit, 100 percent of the funds raised from the festival go back into the church to help with overhead and operation costs, and of course, help [them] continue to host the festival.” Matiosian also shared that in Greek culture, “family is not defined by blood

or heritage but by love, shared experiences, and a passion for good food, dancing, and family gatherings.” In Greek, the term parea means “friends who are like family,” and, according to Matiosian, “the Santa Barbara Greek Festival makes all who join in the festivities parea for the weekend.” The Greek Festival originally started as a one-night fundraiser in 1956 in Ventura by the philanthropic group AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), according to Matiosian. It originally began “in the form of a steak dinner and baklava fundraiser.” By 1959, the parish had grown and moved to Santa Barbara, and this “Greek Night” continued to expand into “a celebratory night full of folk dancing and delicious foods intended not only to raise funds for the parish but to act as a means of celebrating our heritage and sharing our culture with the rest of Santa Barbara.” Each admission ticket comes with one free raffle ticket, with more available to purchase inside. As for the prizes, first place will win $3,000 or round-trip tickets for two to Greece, second place will win one case of wine from Demetria Winery and a wine tasting for four, third place will win a Fit Buddha fitness package that includes a 45-minute private group training session for the winner and up to nine friends on the MegaFormer, and fourth place will win a wine tasting for four at Demetria Winery.

FOOD & DRINK

staying at a friend’s ranch in Wisconsin during the pandemic, when he’d forage for various species every day. “I enjoyed it out there,” said the thirdgeneration Santa Barbaran. “It was nice to be out in nature.” As he learned more, the video-gamedesigner-turned-bartender realized how healthy mushrooms are, especially when it comes to brain health. Having watched the only grandma he ever knew suffer with Alzheimer’s— and worrying that his mom would be next—he honed in on lion’s mane, the large, shaggy white mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane as they grow. “When I read that lion’s mane helps with cognitive function and can repair the conKyle Eckert with a lion’s mane mushroom nection between neurons and can delay, maybe even reverse, Alzheimer’s, I started in texture, umami-drenched in flavor. to get my mom to take it,” he said. “I’m not necessarily looking to mimic But back in Santa Barbara, where he was meat. I don’t like that side of the vegan marhelping to run The Imperial bar in Goleta, ket. I just want to make it taste good,” said he couldn’t really find a good, fairly priced Eckert. “But I do want that smoky minerality source. “I had time and a little bit of space that you get from eating beef in jerky form. in my bedroom, so I started growing lion’s That’s super satisfying to me.” mane,” said Eckert, who also dabHe got his 64-square-foot bled in oysters, chestnuts, and farm — a k a his house, near a few other species. “That the corner of Mission and turned into me growing Modoc — certified with too much. That’s just how the state and recently I work.” applied to sell at the The plan was to sell to farmers’ market. He chef friends and get into hasn’t been accepted yet, but he’s hopeful, explainthe farmers’ market, but ing, “My farm is the that proved tougher than expected. Then he ran closest farm to the farmers’ market.” Eckert is also into some mushroom jerBY MATT KETTMANN kies in the store. “I just didn’t trying to get on the shelves at like them,” he said. “I thought the Gelson’s but is open to any market texture was weird. I didn’t like the choice that’s interested. For now, you can buy his mushrooms of mushrooms, and they were getting them online, sign up for a subscription, or find from overseas.” The San Marcos High grad figured out them at a few spots around town, including how to make his own, realizing that the lion’s The Imperial, Island Seed & Feed, the Drift mane texture was perfectly meaty. It took a Hotel, the MOXI, and occasional pop-ups. couple months of recipe tweaking to finalize He’s turning out multiple harvests weekly, four flavors, which he boils into the fungi and working on a couple more flavors. before dehydrating them, but Riviera MushHis mom, by the way, isn’t slamming jerky. Instead, he makes her supplements. “Who rooms was off and running in March 2024. His current four creations — Black Pep- knows if they’re doing anything?” he admitper, Cajun Spice, Savory Teriyaki, and Chili ted. “But it’s not hurting, and things are not Cheeze, all vegan, soy-, gluten-, and GMO- getting worse.” free — are all downright delicious. They stunningly resemble fresh beef jerky, chewy See rivieramushrooms.com.

On both Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16, the event will start at noon and end at 8 p.m. Children aged 12 and under are free to attend, and general admission can be purchased at the door for $5. More information is available at sbgreekfest.org.

INDEPENDENT.COM AUGUST 14, 2025 THE INDEPENDENT

Summer Seafood and Sips at

here’s nothing better than seafood

by the sea. Little Dom’s Seafood in Carpinteria has some tasty offerings for the summer, which I checked out last week. The Linden Avenue food scene in Carp is hopping right now, and the friendly neighborhood-bar sit-down service at Little Dom’s is a great companion to the beautiful, buzzy new Linden Square walk-up windows on the next block. We started our evening with the Spaghetti Western (a smoky variation on the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned) and a White Spritz, which paired really well with the albacore pastrami from the Seafood Bar. I was expecting it to be more like a crudo, but was surprised to find it was a sandwich app, served with chive butter and a little arugula on house-made Italian stecca bread. Our tasty grilled artichoke appetizer also had a clever presentation: It was halved and served with the insides up to provide a “bowl” for the red wine vinaigrette dipping sauce.

FOOD & DRINK

BLAKE BRONSTAD

Little Dom’s

Carpinteria’s Friendly Neighborhood Joint Is Still a Good Catch BY LESLIE DINABERG

ate last month, I enjoyed

Exterior of Little Dom’s Seafood

soft and delicious and rich and buttery inside. A nice contrast, we also tried the fish piccata, made with a white fish that was light and lemony and served with fresh asparagus that was just the right amount of soft. In addition to the full dinner menu, which also includes plenty of pastas and meats and a full pizza menu for the non-fish lovers, there’s also a Tuesday Night Supper with a three-course menu for just $25, and cioppino every Sunday until it’s sold out. Housed in the building that once held the long beloved Sly’s from the late chefowner James Sly, who died in 2019 a year after closing the restaurant, the highquality food and friendly, unpretentious vibe at Little Dom’s is right in keeping with the both the old and the evolving Carpinteria neighborhood food scene, and as the new kid on the block (c. 2021) is starting to feel a bit like the old guard. Little Dom’s Seafood, 686 Linden Ave., Carpinteria; ldseafood.com

COURTESY

The fish and chips—my barometer dish for any seafood joint—was fresh halibut, really well-seasoned with a nice Peroni beer-battered crust and almost pillowy soft fish inside (the fish varies based on that day’s catch), and the dill pollen fried potatoes were an excellent and surprising touch that echoed the main. Like the fish, the potatoes were crispy and well-seasoned on the outside with plenty of garlic and lemon, and

The bar at Little Dom’s Seafood 44

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AUGUST 14, 2025

Burritos and Music at the Blue Owl L

lunch at The Blue Owl (5 W. Canon Perdido St.), which was recently featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Show host Guy Fieri heard about the restaurant from celebrity chef Cat Cora and had to check it out. When I checked it out, I tried their Sweetheart Burrito (tomato wrap, roasted sweet potato, avocado, cilantro, greens, Thai basil, purple cabbage, vegan mayo, chili sauce), and it was amazing. Owner Nadia Ajlouni tells me it is the most popular item on the menu. The Blue Owl is a fusion-style café downtown serving craft sandwiches, hearty salads, creative appetizers, and IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Food Network’s host Guy Fieri (left) and owner Nadia Ajlouni (right) during a recent taping of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives at the lots of vegan and gluten-free Blue Owl. options. They offer a selection of California wines and local golden brews. During our long and enjoyable head chef Logan Jones, who has been running conversation, I also learned that the eatery Tamar since its inception, is hiring on chef has music/open mic night on Wednesdays McLeod Noormand as his second in comat 6 p.m., and music nights on Saturdays and mand. Chef Noormand graduated from Santa Sundays at 7 p.m. Call (805) 705-0991 or visit Barbara City College’s culinary program and has deep roots in the Santa Barbara restaurant theblueowlsb.com. scene going back generations with his family, STICA OPENS IN SANTA YNEZ: Last year, I wrote who started Giovanni’s Pizza, Crushcakes, that Stica, a new Santa Ynez Valley dining and Yellow Belly. concept from the team behind S.Y. Kitchen and Nella Kitchen & Bar and part of Toscana S.L.O. SUPPER CLUB: Though it’s far out of the Restaurant Group, is on its way. I am happy region I usually report on, I recently heard to report that the eatery opened last month. about a dining event in San Luis Obispo Located at 3563 Numancia Street, just steps County called Club SupSup. This often from sibling S.Y. Kitchen, Stica serves as a sold-out, by-reservation-only supper club grab-and-go, counter-service eatery and mar- blends Latin fusion flavors and an air of mysket meant as a laid-back, casual meal option tery—changing venues and menus for each or for stocking up on wine-country snacks. event, with the location often revealed only The space also offers freshly prepared salads after ticket purchase. Founded by private chef to go, as well as pre-made sandwiches, fresh and author Candice Custodio, Club SupSup pastas and sauces, and other assorted market has started to be known as intriguing dingoods. “With Stica, we wanted to take a step ing experience. From candlelit dinners in a back from S.Y. Kitchen’s slightly more for- working Paso Robles bamboo farm to intimal setting. The eatery features fun, unfussy mate gatherings with oyster shucking workofferings, a nonchalant attitude with a little shops on the roofs of historic homes, each bit of an urban edge,” said owner/partner, evening is an exploration of seasonal CenChef Luca Crestanelli, also owner/partner tral Coast ingredients transformed through and executive chef of now-12-year-old S.Y. Latin-inspired techniques. “I wanted to create Kitchen and Nella Kitchen & Bar, which something that was community-driven and opened in 2020 in the nearby Los Olivos. a way to showcase my heritage in an elevated and unique way,” says Custodio. “It’s more NAMASTE INDIAN BISTRO CLOSES: Namaste Indian than dinner—it’s a story, a connection, and Bistro, which opened in October 2024 at 1218 a celebration of community.” Recent menus State Street, the former home of Bedda Mia, have featured everything from roasted marMollie’s, Tupelo Junction Café, and Marcello row bones with roasted lavender-jalapeño jam to whole roasted goat with mole blanco, Ristorante, has closed. paired with wines from Central Coast wineCHEF NOORMAND JOINS TAMAR: The Mediterra- makers. Club SupSup’s next dinners will take nean-inspired restaurant Tamar, located at place August 22 and September 24, some121 East Yanonali Street in the Funk Zone, is where in S.L.O. Tickets can be purchased at hiring on a new kitchen manager. Owner and chefcandice.com. John Dickson’s reporting can be found every day online at SantaBarbara.com. Send tips to info@SantaBarbara.com.

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COURTESY

Fresh

Restaurant Vet Takes Reins at La Tequila

18-24

BY MATT KETTMANN

He didn’t make any major changes, but increased quality control by watching all of the dishes as they came out of the kitchen. He was lucky to inherit the longtime chef Patricia Diaz, who’d worked at the location since it was an El Sitio, which became La Tequila in 2018. “She’s the matriarch of the place,” said Alarcon. “She knows all the recipes.” That includes the orange salsa, which is just fiery enough thanks to the use of chile de árbol. “Whenever she is roasting it, we gotta open all the windows,” said Alarcon, noting that it won a Santa Ynez Valley salsa competition. There are three other options on most days as well. To eat, Alarcon started us out with the piña xcaret, almost like a deconstructed chorizo taco, layered in cheese and grilled pineapple, and served with tortillas. The savory, cheesy appetizer would work fine as a meal, but shares well when washed down with the wine-based margaritas.

Raul Alarcon, owner of La Tequila in Buellton

For our main dish, Alarcon suggested the mole enchiladas. The dish was picture-perfect, if traditionally simple: a pyramid of rice, a cup of beans, and then the enchiladas, slaked in thick, dark chocolate-colored mole, topped with sesame seeds. Despite the no-flair appearance, the mole was assertively bold in flavor—Diaz’s rich, expertly balanced combination of multiple peppers, nuts, and seeds were roasted into a sweetly nutty sauce, causing me to crave for more in the days to come. Dessert came in the form of crunchy churros, stacked like a pile of wood waiting to be lit. As we burned through it, Alarcon told us of moving from Cuernavaca to Santa Barbara in 1994. “I arrived on a Thursday evening,” he said. “On Monday, I was walking through the halls of Santa Barbara High School.” He worked in restaurants back then, including the long-closed Johnny’s Rib Shack. “That’s when I realized cooking is not for me,” said Alarcon. He later worked as a server at the Miramar, learned bartending at El Encanto, then worked at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club and Emilio’s. He stayed on when it became Toma, working in education during the days. Now, La Tequila is his life. He plans to bring specials to the menu soon, like chile verde, pozole, ceviche, and crudo, and is continuing to settle into the new routine. “It is not an easy profession, but I have come to enjoy owning and running a restaurant of my own,” said Alarcon. “I appreciate the good, the bad, and the stressful situations, but I am learning the challenges, which I do believe will make me stronger in the end.” La Tequila, 35 W. Hwy. 246, Buellton; (805) 697-7776; @latequila_.

FOOD & DRINK

Longtime Toma Bartender Raul Alarcon Now Running Buellton Mexican Restaurant

O T I R BUR

SEPTEMBER

arlier this spring, Raul Alarcon faced one of

the bigger decisions of his life. Should he stay as an employee in the restaurant world, as he’d been doing for years as the bar manager at Toma Restaurant on the Santa Barbara waterfront? Or should he buy his own place? The Cuernavaca-born, Santa Barbara–raised, Santa Maria resident opted to be the boss, taking over as the owner of La Tequila in Buellton on April 1 of this year. “I had this gut feeling,” Alarcon told me at his spot just west of 101 on Highway 246. “At 46 years old, this was my chance.” He was familiar with Buellton due to the years he spent in between restaurant work as a special education teacher at Jonata Middle School, a career that also included teaching at Cabrillo High School. “Now, I have no choice,” he said of what his all-day, every-day restaurant life is like. “This is what I’m doing.”

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The tasting-room view of the Sta. Rita Hills at Rock 12 Distillery

Farm-to-Bottle Booze

in Wine Country

n the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills, a celebrated land

FOOD & DRINK

of popular pinot noir, world-class chardonnay, and sleeper-secret syrah, you can now find epic hibiscus and serrano vodkas. And fascinating apricot, quince, and apple brandies. And yuzu and coffee liqueurs. And one of the best spritz-ready amaros on the planet.

For More

STORIES, RECIPES, AND RESOURCES

BY MATT KETTMANN

Welcome to Rock 12 Distillery, a farm-to-bottle operation near the corner of Highway 246 and Drum Canyon Road run by Serbian-born Marko and Orange County–raised Sarah Suput. Residents of the property since 2016, their business grew out of a home-brewing passion gone boozier. “If we do this in an industrial space, I will never see you and not be part of it,” Sarah recalls realizing when they decided to launch a distillery. “Let’s buy a farm on the Central Coast and start a farm distillery.” As they started planting apple, apricot, and quince trees, among others, they were warned that Santa Barbara County regulations were already tight on wineries, but found that farm distilleries had been included in the planning ordinance. “It was super hard,” said Sarah, but they started distill-

KATE NOELLE

Scan the QR Code

Marko and Sarah Suput’s Rock 12 Distillery Sits in the Sta. Rita Hills

santabarbaragreenguide.com 46

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AUGUST 14, 2025

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Sarah and Marko Suput of Rock 12 Distillery

ing in 2022 and launched the brand in March 2023. “There were a lot of roadblocks, but in a very sentimental way, I look back on that struggle, and we met a lot of neighbors and got very well connected.” She even looks back fondly on dealing with the county bureaucracy. “People we worked with came to love us,” she said. “We didn’t have a lot of lawyers or representatives. It was just us trying to figure it out. When we finally got approval, we felt like we had people rooting for us.” A visit to the distillery—which requires an appointment—features a tasting of their various liquors and the option for cocktails. Private tours, classes, and events also happen regularly, and they rent out a few vacation homes around the area too. The name is a nod to a Palm Springs development called Smoke Tree Ranch where Sarah’s grandparents have owned a home for decades, always a place of good times. The base for the clear spirits is often high-quality pinot noir and chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills that couldn’t otherwise be sold, and then much of the rest comes from their orchard. The brandies are a throwback to Marko’s Serbian roots. “Any fruit that grows there gets turned into brandy,” he said. Their apple brandy is aged in lightly charred American oak, then spends a couple months on port and whiskey barrels. “It’s aged a lot like bourbon,” he explained. Marko makes it all inside of a barn behind the tasting room. “This is kind of the dream—running my own chemical plant,” said Marko, who was moved to Florida from Serbia by his parents in 1991, just as the Balkan wars were taking off, and worked a day job until recently as a product engineer. “This is the most chemical engineering that I’ve done since USC,” he said. The couple met in Redlands, where they started a family as Sarah, who earned her degree in divinity from the Princeton Seminary, worked for children’s camps and the American Red Cross. “I was a little lost career-wise,” she said, but they decided to focus on their own business after watching Shark Tank. Once they learned about other farm distilleries, like Re:Find in Paso Robles, they realized, “This is feasible.” It’s been a steady education ever since. “We just read a lot of books and asked people questions all the time,” she said. “We found that this community is very generous with information and resources.” To make a reservation or learn more, see rock12distillery.com.

The Sando Truck Is Now in Goleta

COURTESY

NeW spot

WE LC OME TO T HE S O U N D T R A C K OF F REEDOM H O T VA L L E Y N I G H T S FREE CONCERT SERIES NEXT SHOW AUGUST 23 / KNEE DEEP

M O R R I S D AY AND THE TIME

he Sando Truck, Santa Barbara’s beloved Japanese katsu-

sando food truck, has relocated to Goleta after a successful run in the Funk Zone. The Sando Truck is now ready to plant firmer roots by offering guests a relaxed setting focused on great quality food and community.

Comfort and Community Are the Focus in the Beloved Sandwich Truck’s Move

F R I D AY, A U G U S T 2 9 / 8 P M

FOOD & DRINK

Nicholas Gillio, owner of The Sando Truck

T I C K E T S S T A R T A T $ 49

SHEIL A E. F R I D AY, S E P T E M B E R 5 / 8 P M T I C K E T S S T A R T A T $ 49

BY MADELINE SLOGOFF

The new Goleta location features shaded picnic tables, casual outdoor seating, and an overall welcoming atmosphere for families, students, and anyone craving Japanese katsu-sandos. “We’ve loved being part of the Funk Zone, but we always envisioned a space where people could stay, eat, and relax,” said Nick Gillio, founder of The Sando Truck. “This move to Goleta lets us create that experience — one centered around the food and the people who love it.” The Sando Truck is now located in Storke Plaza in the Target parking lot at 260 Storke Road in Goleta. The new setup will ease pick-up for to-go orders, have improved catering options, and also has ample parking for customers. Gillio has stayed true to the origins of the sandwich, preparing it the same way it is made in Japan, as to keep the recipe traditional. Having visited Japan several times in his life, he was introduced to the katsu sandwich on one of his trips, and realized that there was no product of its kind in Santa Barbara. He was therefore determined to bring the beloved Japanese snack convenience to his hometown. Despite the move, the sandos aren’t going anywhere. The original recipe with traditionally sourced shokupan and housemade panko will remain the same, prepared in the way they are typically enjoyed, along with vegetarian favorites like the Emi Potato Salad Sando and seasonal specials. The Sando Truck is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information and the complete menu, see thesandotruck.com.

LOS CARDENALES DE NUEVO LEON F R I D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 2 / 8 P M TICKETS START AT $59

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WEEK OF AUGUST 14

ARIES

(Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Rama is the star of the ancient Hindu epic story, the Ramayana. His heroic journey isn’t fueled by a greed for power or personal glory. Unlike 90 percent of modern action heroes, he’s not pumped up with anger or a lust for vengeance. Instead, he is animated by a sense of sacred duty. Against all odds and in the face of bad behavior by weird adversaries, he acts with exemplary integrity and calm clarity. During your upcoming exploits, Aries, I invite you to be inspired by his exalted and unwavering determination. As you proceed, ask yourself, “Is this in rigorous service to my beautiful ideals? Are my decisions and words in alignment with my deepest truths?” Be motivated by devotion as much as by hunger. Aim not just for novelty and excitement, but for generosity of spirit.

TAURUS

(Apr.20-May 20): In the Mexican festival of La Noche de Rábanos—Night of the Radishes—giant radishes are carved into elaborate altars and scenes. Humble roots become fancy art. I think you’re engaged in a metaphorically similar process, Taurus: sculpting with uncommon materials. Something you’ve regarded as modest—a small breakthrough or overlooked strength—is revealing unexpected value. Or perhaps a previously latent or indiscernible asset is showing you its neglected magic. Celebrate your subtle but very tangible luck. Take full advantage of half-disguised treasures.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In coastal Portugal, there’s a lighthouse called Farol do Cabo da Roca. Built on a cliff where land ends and the Atlantic Ocean begins, it marks the westernmost edge of continental Europe. We might say it’s a threshold between the known and unknown. I believe you will soon be poised at a metaphorically similar place, Libra. An ending is at hand. It’s not catastrophic, but it is conclusive. And just beyond it are shimmers, questions, and a horizon that’s not fully visible. Your job is to finish your good work, even as you periodically gaze into the distance to see what’s looming.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The Maasai people of East Africa observe the potent tradition of enkang oo-nkera, or the “circle of the fire.” The community gathers around the evening fire, and the elders facilitate discussions of ancestry, legends, moral lessons, practical knowledge, and conflict management. Now would be an excellent time for you to take inspiration from the Masai ritual. According to my analysis, you and your people are due for a deep sharing of mutually important truths. Certain riddles need to be addressed collaboratively. Tales from the shadows must be illuminated. Your power as a group can be of vigorous service to each individual.

SAGITTARIUS

(May 21-June 20): In Zen archery, the aim is not simply to hit the target. Instead, it’s to align one’s body, breath, mind, and bow so fully that the arrow releases itself naturally and effortlessly. It shoots itself! I would love for you to adopt this breezy attitude in the weeks ahead, Gemini. See if you can allow an evolving project, relationship, or vision to reach a new maturity, but not through pushy effort. Rather, trust life to bring you the precise guidance exactly when you need it.

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In some early maps of the cosmos, Sagittarius wasn’t just an archer. Your sign was symbolized by a centaur with wings: part horse, part bird, part god. I bring this to your attention because I suspect your own hybrid nature is extra wild and strong these days. A part of you wants to roam, and a part wants to ruminate. A part wants to teach, and a part needs to learn. How should you respond to the glorious paradox? Let contradiction become choreography. Maybe liberating joy can arise through a dance between apparent opposites.

CANCER

CAPRICORN

GEMINI

(June 21-July 22): In ancient Rome, the priestesses known as the Vestal Virgins tended an eternal flame. They never let it be extinguished, not even for a moment. Their devoted focus on nurturing the fire was both a religious practice and a symbol regarded as essential for the well-being, prosperity, and survival of the Roman state. I propose, Cancerian, that you engage in your own version of Vestal Virgin–like watchfulness. Assign yourself the role of being the keeper of a sacred promise or resource. What is it, exactly? Identify this repository of spiritual wealth and dedicate yourself to its sustenance.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): In medieval Europe, pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Saint James in Spain often wore scallop shells. These were badges to signify they were on a sacred path in quest of divinely inspired transformation. The shell also had practical uses. It was a scoop for food and water, underscoring the humility and simplicity embraced by wayfarers on the road. I invite you to acquire and wear your own equivalent of this talisman, Leo. You have begun a new chapter in your self-perception, and life is asking you to proceed without pretense. You don’t need definite answers. You don’t have to rush to the end of the journey. The becoming is the point. I hope you seek out inspirational symbolism and generous companions to help nurture your brave transformations.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In ancient Greek drama, the peripeteia was a term for the moment when everything turns. The pivot doesn’t happen through force, but through the revelation of what was always true. I see the coming weeks as your peripeteia, Virgo. There may be no fireworks or grand announcements. Just a soft spiraling crackle that signifies a realignment of the system, a cathartic shift of emphases. Confusion resolves. Mysteries solve themselves. You might say, “Oh, yes, now I see: That’s what it all meant.” Then you can glide into the future with a refined and more wellinformed set of intentions.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In Sardinia, there are tombs carved into rock called Domus de Janas—“houses of the fairies.” People once left offerings there to court the help of beings they couldn’t see. They truly believed that fairies are real and can exert effects in this world. In modern times, fewer Capricorns actively consort with invisible presences than any other zodiac sign. But I hope you will take a short break from your usual stance. Mysterious and mythic influences are gathering in your vicinity. You’re being nudged by forces that defy explanation. What do you have to lose? Why not have fun making room to be delighted and surprised by miracles and wonders?

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Thou shalt embrace the confounding contradictions, Aquarius. That’s the first commandment. Here’s the second commandment: Thou shalt caress the tricky incongruities. Third: Thou shalt whisper endearments to the mysterious ambiguities and invite the mysterious ambiguities to whisper endearments to you. Fourth: Thou shalt rumble and cavort with the slippery paradoxes. Commandment number five: Thou shalt chant spicy prayers of gratitude to the incongruities, paradoxes, contradictions, and ambiguities that are making you deeper and wiser and cuter.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-Mar. 20): In early medieval gardens, there was sometimes a space called the hortus conclusus. It was a walled sanctuary that protected plants and herbs from harsh weather and predation by animals. It comprised a microclimate and provided a private, peaceful space for contemplation, prayer, and study. Sometime soon, Pisces, I would love for you to create your personal equivalent of a hortus conclusus — even if it’s metaphorical. You will harvest maximum benefits from surrounding yourself with extra nurturing. The insights that would come your way as you tend to your inner garden would be gently and sweetly spectacular.

What’s crucial for you to learn next? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES and DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700. 48

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PROFESSIONAL

CATERING SALES MANAGER

FACULTY CLUB HOUSING OPERATIONS Responsible for the catering sales and administrative management of The Club & Guest House catering services. Serves as the departmental liaison, assisting clients with planning catered events, assisting with menu selection, and arranging for rental equipment, linens and event decor. Works with The Club Scheduling on room logistics for in‑house events. The organizational duties of the position pertain to processing catering orders, keeping accurate records of events, distributing catering orders in weekly BEO meetings, updating posted orders as necessary, and communicating all changes to necessary staff. Bills clients and works with the Club’s Business Office ensuring all events for month‑end are billed. Manages on site catered events when needed. The Financial responsibilities of this position relate to the monitoring and recording of monthly sales for budget purposes. Reqs: High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience. 1‑3 years experience working in an office environment and knowledge in using Word, Excel, and Google Workspace (Sheets, Forms, etc) or equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent customer service skills. Interpersonal and work leadership skills. Notes: Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse. Mandated reporting requirement of Dependent Adult Abuse. UCSB Campus Security Authority under Clery Act. Satisfactory criminal history background check. Budgeted Pay Rate/Range: $29.35 to $32.91/hour. Posting Hourly Range:

$29.35 to $34.46/year. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Open until filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job #80052

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST‑ STAFF AND FACULTY SERVICES

HUMAN RESOURCES Provides the UCSB campus community with mental health and support services for faculty, staff and adult family members who are covered by UC insurance in the form of brief counseling and referral assistance, consultation services for managers and supervisors concerning workplace concerns/ problems, crisis interventions, violence prevention and threat assessment, as well as psychological well‑being and workplace wellness programming. They also provide consultation that is primarily delivered to managers and supervisors regarding employees of concern and problematic departmental dynamics; counseling that is delivered in a short‑term model with referrals to campus and community resources being an important component of therapeutic interventions; violence prevention & mitigation services that includes conducting training for faculty and staff regarding how to recognize and refer individuals of concern to appropriate services; and, develop and deliver wellness programming in conjunction with supervisor. Provides direct supervision to a part‑time practicum trainee. Reqs: PhD or PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology. Current, valid license in California as a psychologist. Out‑of‑state licensed psychologists have 180 days to complete licensure requirements in the State of California. Incumbent uses skills as a seasoned, experienced professional with a full understanding of industry practices and campus policies and procedures; resolves a wide range of issues. 4‑6 years Experience in conducting evidence‑based assessment, crisis intervention, and short‑term counseling with adults. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. 4‑6 years Experience developing and delivering psychoeducational workshops. 4‑6 years Experience providing clinical services to diverse populations. Notes: Maintains confidentiality and upholds the highest ethical and legal standards in all relevant aspects of ASAP work and related program activities. Credential verification for clinical practitioner. Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse. Satisfactory criminal history background check. Salary or Hourly Range: $90,872 to $125,515/yr. Full Salary Range: $90,872.02‑ 153,905.39/ yr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other

protected status under state or federal law. Open until filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 79928

COOK

CAMPUS DINING Performs culinary duties such as preparing soups and casseroles, grilling, roasting or barbecuing foods, working a sauté station, and preparing and assembling made‑to‑order entrees serving up to 1,500 meals per shift. Ensures that assigned responsibilities are accomplished and that high standards of food quality, service, sanitation and safety are met at all times. Assists with student training, food production and sanitation. Req: High School or equivalent combination of education and experience. 1‑3 years Culinary experience in a high‑volume culinary environment. Knowledge of and experience with culinary techniques, including but not inclusive of sauteing, grilling, frying, steaming, preparing sauces and stocks. Equivalent combination of education and experience. Notes: Satisfactory criminal history background check. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work standing for up to 8 hours per day. Work hours/days may vary. Pay Rate/Range: $25.00 /hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Open until filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job #79281

LEAD RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE OFFICE

VICE

CHANCELLOR’S

Provides expert‑level post‑award financial management for a portfolio of high‑complexity sponsored projects within AARS. Supports UCSB’s research mission through advanced fiscal oversight, strategic financial planning, and high‑level coordination with faculty, departmental administrators, and central offices. Serves as a technical leader and recognized campus expert in research finance, often guiding compliance interpretation and shaping financial management practices. Core responsibilities include the full lifecycle of complex awards—from proposal and budget establishment through closeout—with independent authority over cost transfers, effort reporting, subaward oversight, and sponsor billing. Leads the development of internal systems, ensure regulatory compliance, mentors other analysts, and contribute to university‑wide process improvement initiatives. Regularly collaborates with AARS Analysts, Sponsored Projects Office, Extramural Funds Accounting, Payroll, Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Principal Investigators to promote fiscal accountability and streamline financial operations. Serves as dotted line supervisor for College of Engineering Research Finance Analysts

(RFAs) overseeing training, onboarding for RFA duties, process standardization, compliance alignment, technical issue triage, and policy interpretation. Reqs: Bachelor’s Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. 3+ years direct administration of extramural funds, especially federal contracts and grants, preferably in an academic setting. Note: Satisfactory conviction history background check The budgeted salary range is $95,000 to $105,000/year. Full salary range: $88,000 to $161,600/year. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Open until filled Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 80295

MEAL PLAN COORDINATOR

CAMPUS DINING Responsible for the oversight and coordination for all Campus Dining meal plans, and BARC billing. This includes residential meal plans (approximately 5,800 meal plans per quarter), off‑campus meal plans (approximately 1,700 meal plans per academic quarter), dining commons student staff meal plans, meals for the financial crisis response team, Summer Conferences and the Orientation Program, guest meal services and special meal services for campus visitation groups. Primary Customer Service representative for the Residential Dining Services Business Office assuring quality service is provided to all internal and external clients. Coordinates administrative support for the Assistant Director, researching and completing projects as assigned. Completes and tracks documentation, researches and specifies equipment, and facilitation for supplies and equipment for Residential Dining units, including: Portola Dining Commons, Carrillo Dining Commons, De La Guerra Dining Commons, Ortega Dining Commons, Campus Catering, and Concessions. Coordinates with a broad range of individuals (Dining Commons Managers, Vendors, Purchasing Department, Housing Operation staff) to accomplish all necessary job requirements. Reqs: High School Diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience. 1‑3 years Experience working in an office environment and knowledge in using Word and Excel. Or equivalent combination of education and experience. Notes: Satisfactory criminal history background check. Budgeted Pay Rate/Range: $29.35 ‑ $34.46/hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Open until filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job #80326

PAINTER

of the department. Required to hold a valid driver’s license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies and procedures, and/ or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program. For multi‑hire positions: Some positions filled under this posting may be required to hold a valid driver’s license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/ or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program. Satisfactory criminal history background check.

RESIDENTIAL OPERATIONS Responsible for performing skilled painting tasks for University owned Residential Halls/Housing and its related buildings at on and off campus locations as outlined below, and may be assigned other duties (including those in other craft areas) to accomplish the operational needs of the department. In compliance with HDAE goals and objectives, affirms and implements the department Educational Equity Plan comprised of short and long term objectives BUILDING/ that reflect a systematic approach to preparing both students and staff for CONSTRUCTION a success in a multi‑cultural society. SERVICES Work in an environment, which is BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little ethnically diverse and culturally as ONE DAY! Affordable prices ‑ No pluralistic. Works effectively in a payments for 18 months! Lifetime team environment. Reqs: 4+ years warranty & professional installs. Senior demonstrated work in the painter & Military Discounts available. Call: trade, showing multiple skills 1‑833‑795‑0042 (Cal‑SCAN) within the paint trade. Similar type

Pay Rate/Range: $44.90/hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Open until filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job #80023

SERVICE DIRECTORY

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LEGALS ADMINISTER OF ESTATE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MICHAEL STEPHEN MILLER, JR CASE No.: 25PR00384 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: MICHAEL STEPHEN MILLER, Jr. aka MICHAEL STEPHEN MILLER aka MIKE MILLER A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: JOANNA MILLER in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. THE PETITION requests that (name): JOANNA MILLER be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The Independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court

should not grant the authority. A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 9/09/2025 AT 9:00 a.m. Dept: SM 2 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT SANTA MARIA BRANCH 312‑C East Cook Street, Maria, CA 93454‑5162. IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58 (b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE‑154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of

any petition or account as provided in Probate Code Section 1250. A Request for Special notice form is available from the court clerk. Darrel E. Parker, Executive Officer 7/24/2025 by Monica Buenrostro, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: Joanna Miller, 902 Olive Street, Apt C ,Santa Barbara, CA 93101; 805‑618‑8635 Published: Jul 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: CHRISTOPHER M. KUNZE CASE No.: 25PR00386 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: CHRISTOPHER M. KUNZE A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: CLAUDIA L. KUNZE in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. THE PETITION requests that (name): CLAUDIA L. KUNZE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons

Matt Young, Water Agency Manager Notice of Public Workshop, Uses of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Cachuma Project Allocation A public workshop to discuss expenditure of $100,000 during fiscal year 202526 pursuant to Cachuma Member Unit Contracts will be held: DATE: TO:

August 18, 2025 Interested Parties

FROM: Matt Young, Santa Barbara County Water Agency Manager RE: Notice of Public Workshop, Uses of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Cachuma Project Betterment Funds A public workshop to discuss expenditure of $100,000 during fiscal year 2025-26 pursuant to Cachuma Member Unit Contracts will be held: Monday, August 18, 2025, 11:00 AM via Video/Teleconference Join via Video Conference https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87949932612?pwd=RFT1Oax61DGoodOKGUfTtM ZS6nCD1c.1 Passcode:670721 Join Via Teleconference US +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 879 4993 2612

Passcode: 670721

If you are unable to attend the workshop, you are welcome to provide written comments to: Santa Barbara County Water Agency 130 E. Victoria St., Suite 200 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Attn.: Matthew Young Background and Discussion Contracts between the County Water Agency (Agency) and the Cachuma Member Units (approved in 1996) include a provision that states “the Water Agency shall provide $100,000 per year during the term hereof for beneficial purposes consistent with the Water Agency Act and within the Santa Ynez River watershed and the Cachuma project service area.” As part of the original Member Unit Contracts, the Agency had provided $100,000 per year for 40 years toward the cost of water purchases from the project by the Member Units. During development of the renewed contracts, the Agency and the Member Units agreed to expand the potential uses of this $100,000 per year, so as to include a wide range of planning activities and potential projects in the Santa Ynez River watershed and within the Cachuma Project service area. Decisions, relating to expenditures of these funds, require concurrence by both the Agency and the Cachuma Member Units. Currently several resource evaluations are underway in the Santa Ynez River basin. They include: 1) steelhead/rainbow trout studies pursuant to implementation of the Cachuma Project Biological Opinion (September, 2000) and the Lower Santa Ynez Fish Management Plan (October, 2000); and 2) groundwater and surfacewater flow and quality monitoring pursuant to several cooperative agreements among local agencies and the United States Geological Survey. The Agency spends approximately $150,000 per year in these interagency studies. The Cachuma Member Units currently expend roughly $900,000 per year on fisheries activities as well as an estimated $100,000 per year on stream flow and water quality monitoring in the Santa Ynez River. Agency staff will consider information received in this workshop during development of budget recommendations to the Water Agency Board of Directors. Further information regarding any of these studies may be obtained from the Agency. 50

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unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The Independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 10/23/2025 AT 9:00 a.m. Dept: 5 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, located at 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93121. SANTA BARBARA‑ANACAPA DIVISION. IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58 (b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE‑154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code Section 1250. A Request for Special notice form is available from the court clerk. Darrel E. Parker, Executive Officer 7/25/2025 by Nicole Barnard, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: Jeremy D. Stone, PRICE POSTEL & PARMA LLP; 2173 200 E. Carrillo St. Ste. 400,Santa Barbara, CA 93101; 805‑962‑0011 Published: Jul 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: CHARLES G. EDWARDS, JR. CASE No.: 25PR00397 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: CHARLES G. EDWARDS, JR. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: KENNETH EDWARDS in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara‑South County THE PETITION requests that (name): KENNETH EDWARDS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The Independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 10/02/2025 AT 9:00 a.m. Dept: SB 5 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA , COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA‑SOUTH COUNTY ANACAPA DIVISION Judge: Colleen K. Sterne 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58 (b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other

California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE‑154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code Section 1250. A Request for Special notice form is available from the court clerk. Darrel E. Parker, Executive Officer 8/1/2025 by Monica Buenrostro, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: Eric J. Harris, Esq. 25500 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 1060 ,Torrance, CA 90505; 310‑986‑3118 Published: Aug 7, 14, 21 2025.

BULK SALE PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Sections 21700 through 21716 of the Business & Professions Code, Patterson/101 Allstore Self‑Storage, will sell at public sale, the following delinquent occupant’s(s’) stored contents, by competitive bidding ending on August 28, 2025 at 11 am. Property has been stored by the occupant(s) and is located at Patterson/101 Allstore Self‑ Storage, 98 North Patterson Avenue, Santa Barbara, California 93111. Competitive bid auction available online only at www.storagetreasures.com The property being sold is described as: Unit #B025 – Olivia Grace Purchases must be picked up at the above location and paid for at the time of purchase with cash or credit card only. All purchased goods are sold as is, where is, and must be removed at the time of sale. The sale is subject to prior cancellation in the event of settlement between Owner and Occupant(s). Dated this 14th day of August 2025. PATTERSON/101 ALLSTORE SELF‑STORAGE (805) 964‑0924 For bidding technical questions ‑ Storage Treasures (480) 397‑6503

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2025‑0001622 The following person(s) is doing business as: Santa Barbara Wine Events, 1095 Meadowvale Rd Suite D, Santa Ynez, CA 93460, County of Santa Barbara. Eniw Wyne Events LLC, 140 W Highway 246, Buellton, CA 93427; California This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on May 01, 2022 /s/ Jesus Vidales, Member This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/10/2025. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14/25 CNS‑3948781# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2025‑0001634 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Century 21 Masters Luxury, 26305 Jefferson Ave, Ste G&H, Murrieta, CA 92562 County of RIVERSIDE Mailing Address: 26305 Jefferson Ave, Ste G&H, Murrieta, CA 92562 Full Realty Services, Inc., 26305 Jefferson Ave, Ste G&H, Murrieta, CA 92562 This business is conducted by a Corporation The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Full Realty Services, Inc.

S/ Linda Thompson, Secretary This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/10/2025. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14/25 CNS‑3947415# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE S.B. READING COALITION: 1111 Chapala St, Ste 200 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Santa Barbara Foundation (same address) This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: JAQUELINE CARRERA/PREIDENT & CEO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 14, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001667. Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 5 STAR SIGNS & GRAPHICS: 74 Aero Camino, Unit A Goleta, CA 93117; 5 Star Auto Group LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 23, 2025. Filed by: SCOTT ANDERSSON/PARTNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jun 30, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001552. Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: HANDICRAFTSB. COM: 4595 Atascadero Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93110; Safety Matters Certified Training, LLC PO Box 1481 Goleta, CA 93116 This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: JUSTIN HAAGEN/ MANAGING MEMBER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 14, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001663. Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2025‑0001639 The following person(s) is doing business as: Poppy and Snow Embroidery, 713 Rincon Hill Rd, Carpinteria, CA 93013, County of Santa Barbara. Sassafrass Apparel LLC, 7015 Vista Del Rincon Drive, Ventura, CA 93001; California This business is conducted by a Limited Liablity Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Nov 28, 2024 /s/ Olivia Sheaffer, Managing Member This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/11/2025. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14/25 CNS‑3948795# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MEXICRAVE: 316 N Milpas St Santa Barbara, CA 93103; Maria J Vences Rojas 1328 Punta Gorda St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 15, 2025. Filed by: MARIA JASSMINE VENCES ROJAS with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 15, 2025. This statement expires five years

from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E73. FBN Number: 2025‑0001670. Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2025‑0001619 The following person(s) is doing business as: Hydramene, 530 Mills Way, Goleta, CA 93117, County of Santa Barbara. Hydramene LLC, 530 Mills Way, Goleta, CA 93117; CA This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable /s/ Justin Wehner, Managing Member This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/10/2025. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14/25 CNS‑3948796# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN 2025‑0001620 The following person(s) is doing business as: Central Heating & Sheet Metal, 413 Stansbury Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455, County of Santa Barbara. Davie Enterprises LLC, 413 Stansbury Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455; CA This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable /s/ Ashley D. Velazquez, Managing Member This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/10/2025. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14/25 CNS‑3948807# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PURLUE PETALS: 3564 Sagunto Street, Suite 184 Santa Ynez, CA 93460; Bette L Toffelmier (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: BETTE L. TOFFELMIER/ OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 9, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001617. Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SANTA BARBARA LOCAL SOCCER LEAGUE, SANTA BARBARA FUTSAL, SC GLADIATORS, EMBRACING WATER: 5717 Encina Rd, 203 Goleta, CA 93117; Dario Margheriti (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 26, 2025. Filed by: DARIO MARGHERITI/ OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jun 26, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E72. FBN Number: 2025‑0001521. Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GEORGE THE ROOTERMAN: 649 Camino Campana Santa Barbara, CA 93111; Robert K Porter (same address) Gail S Porter (same address) This business is conducted by A Married Couple Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jan 1, 2010. Filed by: ROBERT K PORTER/ OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa

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LEGALS (CONT.) Barbara County on Jul 11, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E49. FBN Number: 2025‑0001638. Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CHANNEL WEALTH: 3760 State St, Ste 201 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Channel Wealth LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 18, 2019. Filed by: BRETT WEICHBROD/MANAGING MEMBER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 15, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001673. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GOLETA MYOWORKS: 5622 Hollister Ave, Building A Unit 121 Goleta, CA 93117; Tatiana Mustafa (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact

business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 16, 2025. Filed by: TATIANA MUSTAFA with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 22, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001734. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BIG BRAIN BIO CONSULTING: 92 Touran Lane Goleta, CA 93117; Jack R Reifert (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 13, 2025. Filed by: JACK REIFERT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 9, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001615. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MAD VANS: 143 Oliver Road Santa Barbara, CA 93109; Allrad, LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A

Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 1, 2020. Filed by: DANIEL KUTTNER/MANAGER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 16, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001684. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CARPET CLEANING EXPRESS, EXPRESS CLEANING, MITZI PARTY RENTAL: 4326 Calle Real, Spc 47 Santa Barbara, CA 93110; Roberto Ojendis (same address) Rocely Hernandez (same address) This business is conducted by A Married Couple Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: ROBERTO OJENDIS with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 10, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001628. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS

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ORDINANCE NO. 25-99 AN ORDINANCE OF THE GOLETA WEST SANITARY DISTRICT ESTABLISIDNG INFORMAL BIDDING PROCEDURES UNDER THE UNIFORM PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT WHEREAS, the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (“Act”) provides for informal bidding procedures for construction projects that have the potential to significantly reduce the administrative costs of bidding and allow for faster project completion, while still retaining a competitive process and containing project costs; and WHEREAS, the District has elected to become subject to the uniform public construction cost accounting procedures under the Act, thereby allowing it to adopt informal bidding procedures for construction projects. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of Goleta West Sanitary District does ordain as follows: Section 1. Informal Bid Procedures. “Public Projects”, as defined by the Act and in accordance with the limits listed in Section 22032 of the Public Contract Code, may be let to contract by informal procedures as set forth in Section 22032, et seq., of the Public Contract Code. Section 2. Contractors List. The District shall comply with the requirements of Public Contract Code Section 22034, maintaining a list of qualified contractors identified according to categories of work. Section 3. Notice Inviting Informal Bids. Where a Public Project is to be performed which is subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, a notice inviting informal bids shall be circulated using one or both of the following methods: 1. Notices inviting informal bids may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to all contractors for the category of work to be bid, as shown on the list developed in accordance with Public Contract Code Section 22034; 2. Notices inviting informal bids may be mailed to all construction trade journals as specified by the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission in accordance with section 22036 of the Public Contract Code. Additional contractors and/or construction trade journals may be notified at the discretion of the District. However, if the product or service is proprietary in nature such that it can be obtained only from a certain contractor or contractors, the notice inviting informal bids may be sent exclusively to such contractor or contractors.

STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: LP BUILDS: 104 Los Aguajes Avenue, 12 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Layton P Reneer (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 9, 2025. Filed by: LAYTON P RENEER/GENERAL CONTRACTOR with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 14, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001669. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SA FUHRING ELECTRIC: 4282 Macon Ct Santa Maria, CA 93455; SAF Contracting P.O. Bo 2303 Santa Maria, CA 93457 This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on May 29, 2025. Filed by: STEPHEN FUHRING/ PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 167, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E49. FBN Number: 2025‑0001691. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NERVIO: 401 Chapala St, Suite 102 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Nervio Pain Institute 612 Anacapa St, Apt A Santa Barbara, CA 93101 This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 1, 2025. Filed by: NICHOLAS PETERSON/PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 24, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001766. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: I HEART CREATIVE LLC, I HEART MY GROOM: 361 Northgate Dr, Apt C Goleta, CA 93117; I Heart Creative LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on May 21, 2010. Filed by: MADISON HUNTER/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jun 16, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E72. FBN Number: 2025‑0001426. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2025‑0001556 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Chaine Montecito, 3876 Nathan Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 County of SANTA BARBARA Confrerie de la Chaine des Section 4. Award of Contracts. The District General Manager and Superintendent Rotisseurs ‑ Montecito Bailliage, a Section 5. Publication and Effective Date. This ordinance shall be a general regulation are each authorized to award informal contracts. California Non‑Profit Corporation, of the District and shall be published once in the Santa Barbara Independent, and shall be 3876 Nathan Rd, Santa Barbara, effective on the eighth calendar day following such publication. CA 93110 Section 5. Publication and Effective Date. This ordinance shall be a general This business is conducted by a regulation of the District and shall be published once in the Santa Barbara Corporation Independent, and AND shall ADOPTED be effective calendar day such of PASSED thison 5ththe dayeighth of August 2025, by thefollowing Board of Directors the The registrant(s) commenced to publication. Goleta West Sanitary District by the following vote: transact business under the fictitious business name or names PASSED this 5th dayTurenchalk, of August 2025, by Zhu the Board of Directors of AYES:AND ADOPTEDGeyer, Lewis, Thomas, listed above on 06/19/2025. theNOES: Goleta West Sanitary District by the following vote: Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs ‑ Montecito Bailliage, a ABSTENTIONS: AYES: NOES: Geyer, Lewis, Turenchalk, Thomas, Zhu California Non‑Profit Corporation ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: S/ Marlene Klamt, CEO This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/01/2025. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 7/31, 8/7, 8/14, 8/21/25 CNS‑3949194# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EXPRESS HOME DRYWALL: 5237 Parejo Drive

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AUGUST 14, 2025

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Santa Barbara, CA 93111; Devn K Garibay (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 22, 2025. Filed by: DEVIN GARIBAY with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 25, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001778. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ALVARADO’S DRAIN SOLUTIONS: 4756 Ttian St Santa Maria, CA 93455; Cesar Alvarado (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: CESAR ALVARADO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 24, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001760. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PACIFIC EDGE LAW: 2932 Serena Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105; Jessica Schoendienst (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 25, 2025. Filed by: JESSICA SCHOENDIENST with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 22, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001730. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DEPENDABLE WINE TOURS AND TRANSPORTATION: 102 N. Hope Ave #3 Santa Barbara, CA 93110; Dependable Wine Tours And Transportation LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: JEFFREY ALVARADO/ PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 24, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E63. FBN Number: 2025‑0001755. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RESILIENT COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 695 Camino Campana Santa Barabara, CA 93111; Interplay (same address) This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: BRADFORD SMITH/ PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 11, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001650. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SFR JALMA: 4120 Jalama RoadLompoc, CA 93436; Stoll Family Ranch (same address) This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 1, 2025. Filed by: CATHERINE STOLL/ OWNER/MANAGER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 17, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001695. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s)

is/are doing business as: ANGUYOB, ANGUYOB HEALING ARTS, FIRE MOON MEDICINES: 53 Valdez Ave Goleta, CA 93117; Katrina Irene B. Dela Cruz (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 16, 2025. Filed by: KATRINA DELA CRUZ/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jun 23, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001472. Published: July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SILVER FIN PLUMBING: 749 Firenze Pl., B Santa Barbara, CA 93105; Joshua T Fish (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 23, 2025. Filed by: JOSHUA FISH/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 28, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001789. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2025‑0001742 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. HILLVIEW FARM, 2. HILLVIEW FARMS, 3. SANTA YNEZ N.V. HILLVIEW FARM, 4. SANTA YNEZ N.V. HILLVIEW FARMS, 2445 ALAMO PINTADO AVE, SUITE 203, LOS OLIVOS, CA 93441 County of SANTA BARBARA SANTA YNEZ, N.V., 16255 VENTURA BLVD., SUITE 600, ENCINO, CA 91436; State of Inc./Org./Reg.: NETHERLANDS ANTILLES This business is conducted by a Corporation The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/31/1979. SANTA YNEZ, N.V. S/ ANTHONY A. LEWINTER, CEO, This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/22/2025. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28/25 CNS‑3946138# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: CB PROJECTS: 440 La Lata Pl. Buellton, CA 93427; Chloe Alysse LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 16, 2025. Filed by: CHLOE DICKSON/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 8, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001602. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IMPACT4ED: 123 Bath Street, A6 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Sally A Kingston (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 1, 2025. Filed by: SALLY KINGSTON/CEO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 29, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001804. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LEARNING MADE CLEAR: 1400 Storke Rd #80005 Goleta, CA 93118; Joe D Isaacson (same address) This business is conducted by

A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: JOE ISAACSON with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 30, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001818. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE BIKINI FACTORY: 2275 Ortega Hill Rd. #B Summerland, CA 93067; Wardrobe Collective Corp 387 Barry Dr. Ventura, CA 93001 This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: SUSANA MARIN/CEO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 30, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E63. FBN Number: 2025‑0001808. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: SHANE WILDE: 1023 N San Marcos Rd Santa Barbara , CA 93111; Shane Wilde Publishing LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 11, 2025. Filed by: NESHA PATTISON/MEMBER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 11, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001749. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: STATE ST BARBERS: 3118 State St Santa Barbara, CA 93105; Fernando Cobian (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 21, 2025. Filed by: FERNANDO COBIAN/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 21, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E72. FBN Number: 2025‑0001718. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: STUFFED ANIMALZ: 1460 W Highway 154 Santa Ynez, CA 93460; Amber Sexton (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 31, 2025. Filed by: AMBER SEXTON with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 31, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E4. FBN Number: 2025‑0001821. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CG INSIGHT GROUP, LLC: 1925 Robbins Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101; CG Insight Group, LLC (same address) This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 28, 2024. Filed by: CHELSEA WANN/CEO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on JuL 24, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001756. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TELEDYNE FLIR SOLUTIONS U.S.: 6769 Hollister Ave Goleta, CA 93117; Teledyne Flir Commercial Systems, Inc (same address) This business is conducted by

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LEGALS (CONT.) A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: MELANIE S. CIBIK/ SECRETARY with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 1, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001837. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: OSCAR’S SPARKLING POOLS: 112 Saint Ives Place Goleta, CA 93117; Stefanie G. Salinas (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: STEFANIE SALINAS with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 25, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E73. FBN Number: 2025‑0001768. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WALKING WITHIN, WALKING WITHIN COACHING & BODYWORK, WALKING WITHIN COACHING, WALKING WITHIN BODYWORK, WALKING WITHIN MASSAGE, WORKING WITHIN: 7263 Georgetown Rd Goleta, CA 93117; Amorette Rk Getty (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jan 1, 2025. Filed by: AMORETTE GETTY with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 17, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001696. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THELIA GROUP: 590 E Gutierrez St Suite B Santa Barbara, CA 93103; Thelia Usa Inc (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Apr 7, 2021. Filed by: ROMAN DOUSSINEAU/VICE PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 4, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E66. FBN Number: 2025‑0001841. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SESSER CONSTRUCTION: 651 San Ramon Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93111; Sesser Inc (same address) This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: JONATHAN SESSER/CEO/PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 29, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001805. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: OPEN GATE INTERFAITH CENTER: 430 Alisal Road #318 Solvang, CA 93464; Linda L. Palmer (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 1, 2025. Filed by: LINDA L. PALMER/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 1, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001834. Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: STUDIO KO FLORALS: 1191 Grand Meadow Way Orcutt, CA 93455; Gyeonghye Ko (same

address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 25, 2025. Filed by: GYEONGHYE KO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 30, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001814. Published: Aug 14, 21, 28. Sep 4 2025. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CHAD’S CAFE: 216 W Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Palm Beach Restaurants Inc 316 West Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara, CA 93101 This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jun 19, 2025. Filed by: CHAD STEVENS/PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 29, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by E30. FBN Number: 2025‑0001806. Published: Aug 14, 21, 28. Sep 4 2025.

LIEN SALE BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE 21700 Notice is hereby given by the undersigned that a Public Lien Sale of personal property will be held Thursday the 28th day of August, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. at Santa Barbara Mini Storage, 190 Wye Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93110, County of Santa Barbara, State of California, and will be sold by the unit by Daniel Jackson, Auctioneer, CA Bond #64819405, phone (559) 970‑8105. The property to be sold is stored at Santa Barbara Mini Storage located at 190 Wye Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93110, County of Santa Barbara. Unit # Name A41 – Lorie Silva C11 – Jose Hernandez C30 – Lorie Silva D31 – David Frei E3 – Robert Van’t Riet G19 – Sal Espinoza This notice is given in accordance with the provisions of Section 21700 et seq. of the Business & Professions Code of the State of California. (See Section 1812.600 of Civil Code) SANTA BARBARA MINI STORAGE By Gary Braun BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE 21700 Notice is hereby given by the undersigned that a Public Lien Sale of personal property will be held Thursday the 28th day of August, 2025, at 9:45 A.M. at Budget U‑Stor Self Storage, 130 Garden St., Santa Barbara, Ca. 93101, County of Santa Barbara, State of California, and will be sold by the unit by Daniel Jackson, Auctioneer, CA Bond #64819405, phone (559) 970‑8105. The property to be sold is stored at Budget U‑Stor Self Storage located at 130 Garden St. Santa Barbara, CA 93110, County of Santa Barbara. Unit # Name 104 – Duane Henry 471 – Priscilla Summerhill This notice is given in accordance with the provisions of Section 21700 et seq. of the Business & Professions Code of the State of California. (See Section 1812.600 of Civil Code) BUDGET U‑STOR SELF STORAGE By Gary Braun

NAME CHANGE IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: KATHRYN ELIZABETH HAHKA CASE NUMBER: 25CV04054 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER: KATHRYN ELIZABETH HAHKA A petition has been filed by the above named Petitioner(s) in Santa

Barbara Superior Court for decree changing name (s) as follows: PRESENT NAME: KATHRYN ELIZABETH HAHKA PROPOSED NAME: KATHRYN ELIZABETH HAPAZ THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 September 12, 2025, 10:00 am, DEPT: 4, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 1100 Anacapa Street, P.O. Box 21107 Santa Barbara, CA 93121‑1107, ANACAPA DIVISION A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition. Dated 07/16/2025, JUDGE Donna D. Geck of the Superior Court. Published July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CESAR PLASCENCIA ZUNIGA CASE NUMBER: 25CV04056 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER: CESAR PLASCENCIA ZUNIGA A petition has been filed by the above named Petitioner(s) in Santa Barbara Superior Court for decree changing name (s) as follows: PRESENT NAME: CESAR PLASCENCIA ZUNIGA PROPOSED NAME: CESAR HAPAZ THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 September 10, 2025, 10:00 am, DEPT: 3, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 1100 Anacapa Street, P.O. Box 21107 Santa Barbara, CA 93121‑1107, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition. Dated 07/16/2025, JUDGE Thomas P. Anderle of the Superior Court. Published July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: HANSEN MICHAL CHANG CASE NUMBER: 25CV04366 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER: HANSEN MICHAL CHANG A petition has been filed by the above named Petitioner(s) in Santa Barbara Superior Court for decree changing name (s) as follows: PRESENT NAME: HANSEN MICHAL CHANG PROPOSED NAME: HANSEN MICHAEL CHANG THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING Hybrid Public Hearing – In Person and via Zoom Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.

Goleta Energy Storage Augmentation Units CASE NOS. 24-0008-DP, 24-0003-CUP Located at 6864 Cortona Drive APN 073-140-031

ATTENTION: The meeting will be held in person and via the Zoom platform. The public may also view the meeting on Goleta Channel 19 and/or online at https://cityofgoleta.gov/goletameetings. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Goleta Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider the development project as described under the Project Description Summary heading below and the associated Addendum to the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration. The date, time, and location of the Planning Commission hearing is as follows: DATE AND TIME:

Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.

LOCATION:

Goleta City Hall, 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, CA, 93117 and Teleconference Meeting; this meeting will be held in person and via Zoom (with detailed instructions for participation included on the posted agenda and the Electronic Participation heading below.)

The Planning Commission will be acting as the local decision-maker regarding the adequacy of the analysis contained within the Addendum and the merits of the Project. PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY: On August 22, 2024, Laurel Perez of SEPPS Land Use Consultants (“Applicant”) filed an application on behalf of Paul Zavesoff, Goleta Energy Storage, LLC (“Property Owner”). The Applicant requests approval to amend Development Plan Case No. 19-0201-DP and Conditional Use Permit Case No. 19-0202-CUP, approved by the City of Goleta Planning Commission on October 25, 2021 (“Approved Project”). The request includes the installation of battery augmentation units to the existing Tesla Megapacks located at the project site (“Amended Project”). The Amended Project involves the installation of up to 132 battery augmentation units to the existing Tesla Megapacks located at the approved Goleta Energy Storage Project site. The augmentation units would be installed on existing concrete pads immediately adjacent to the existing Megapacks, with no grading required. The installation of the 132 Powerpack units would occur in installments of up to 40 units placed at a time, with each installment lasting a maximum of 30 days. The installation of the augmentation units was previously contemplated for the Approved Project, but the units were not included nor analyzed in the Approved Project’s CEQA review. The installation of Powerpack units under the Amended Project would include: •

Anchoring of augmentation units on existing foundations;

•

Anchoring of power supply cabinets on existing foundations; and

•

Connecting low-voltage electrical cables between power supply cabinets, augmentation units, and existing equipment.

LOCATION AND ZONING: The 5.88-acre project site is located at Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 073-140027 in Goleta, California, in the Inland area of the city outside of the Coastal Zone. The site is located within the Business Park (I-BP) General Plan/Local Coastal Land Plan land use designation and is zoned Business Park (BP). ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) Addendum (“Addendum”) has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code, §§ 21000 et seq.), the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 California Code of Regulations, §§ 15000 et seq.), and the City’s Environmental Review Guidelines. The City of Goleta is acting as the Lead Agency for this project. As specified in the CEQA Guidelines (Sections 15162 and 15164), an addendum is appropriate when proposed project modifications do not result in new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified impacts. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(c), public review of the Addendum is not required but can be included in or attached to the adopted MND. The Addendum provides the necessary documentation demonstrating that the proposed changes do not meet the criteria for the preparation of a subsequent MND or Environmental Impact Report. The Addendum finds that the amended project would not result in any new impacts or substantially increase the severity of previously identified significant impacts already addressed in the previously adopted Final MND. The Addendum is available on the City’s website at https://www.cityofgoleta.gov/your-city/planning-andenvironmental-review/ceqa-review. CORTESE LIST: The Project site is not listed on the EnviroStor online database of hazardous site records maintained by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control TSC in coordination with the California State Water Resources Control Board consistent with Government Code § 65962.5 (the “Cortese list”). PUBLIC COMMENT: Interested persons are encouraged to provide public comments during the public hearing in person or virtually through the Zoom webinar, by following the instructions listed on the Planning Commission meeting agenda. All letters/comments should be sent to PERmeetings@cityofgoleta.gov. Letters must be received on or before the date of the hearing or can be submitted at the hearing prior to the conclusion of the public comment portion of the Public Hearing. Written comments will be distributed to the Planning Commission and published on the City’s website. DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY AND PROJECT INFORMATION: Staff reports and related materials for the Planning Commission hearing will also be posted on this website at least 72 hours prior to the meeting on the City’s web site at www.cityofgoleta.gov. For more information about this project, contact the Planning and Zoning Counter at 805-961-7543 or planningcounter@cityofgoleta.gov. Para consultas en español, comuniquese con Marco Martinez al (805) 9562-5500 or mmartinez@cityofgoleta.gov. ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION: Please register for the Planning Commission hearing on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6:00 pm following the information provided in the Planning Commission agenda for remote participation. The agenda will be published at least 72 hours before the meeting. NOTE: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in the hearing, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 961-7505 or cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.gov. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the hearing will enable City staff to make reasonable arrangements. NOTE: If you challenge the nature of the above action in court, you may be limited to only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City on or before the date of the hearing (Government Code Section 65009 (b)(2)).

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LEGALS (CONT.) Notice of Hearing October 3, 2025, 10:00 am, DEPT: 4, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 1100 Anacapa Street, P.O. Box 21107 Santa Barbara, CA 93121‑1107, A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition. Dated 07/24/2025, JUDGE Donna D. Geck of the Superior Court. Published July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: DERIN BRYANT STOCKTON CASE NUMBER: 25CV03730 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER: DERIN BRYANT STOCKTON A petition has been filed by the above named Petitioner(s) in Santa Barbara Superior Court for decree changing name (s) as follows: PRESENT NAME: ELLIOTT ISABELLE TURCOTTE PROPOSED NAME: MIKA ROSE STOCKTON THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 August 8, 2025, 10:00 am, DEPT: 4, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 1100 Anacapa Street, P.O. Box 21107 Santa Barbara, CA 93121‑1107, ANACAPA DIVISION A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a newspaper

of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition. Dated 06/25/2025, JUDGE Donna D. Geck of the Superior Court. Published July 31. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME:BRINNA RITA PAGAN CASE NUMBER: 25CV04320 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER:BRINNA RITA PAGAN A petition has been filed by the above named Petitioner(s) in Santa Barbara Superior Court for decree changing name (s) as follows: PRESENT NAME: BRIANNA RITA PAGAN PROPOSED NAME: BRIANNA RITA CORREMONTE THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 September 24, 2025, 10:00 am, DEPT: 3, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 1100 Anacapa Street, P.O. Box 21107 Santa Barbara, CA 93121‑1107, Anacapa Division A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition. Dated 07/26/2025, JUDGE Thomas P. Anderle of the Superior Court. Published Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION

TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: MELINDA BURNS CASE NUMBER: 25CV04201 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER:MELINDA BURNS A petition has been filed by the above named Petitioner(s) in Santa Barbara Superior Court for decree changing name (s) as follows: PRESENT NAME: MELINDA BURNS PROPOSED NAME: LESLIE KREBS THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 September 29, 2025, 10:00 am, DEPT: 5, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 118 E. Figueroa St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Santa Barbara A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition. Dated 07/25/2025, JUDGE Colleen K. Sterne. of the Superior Court. Published Aug 14, 21, 28. Sep 4 2025. IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: ALEXANDRIA ROCHELLE SAROT CASE NUMBER: 25CV04856 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER:ALEXANDRIA ROCHELLE SAROT A petition has been filed by the above named Petitioner(s) in Santa Barbara Superior Court for decree changing name (s) as follows: PRESENT NAME: ALEXANDRIA ROCHELLE SAROT

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PROPOSED NAME: ALEXANDRIA RACHEL ORTEGA THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 September 18, 2025, 8:30 am, DEPT: SM FOUR, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 115 Civic Center Plaza Lompoc, CA 93436‑6967, LOMPOC A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition. Dated 08/08/2025, JUDGE Jed Beebe. of the Superior Court. Published Aug 14, 21, 28. Sep 4 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF BARCLAY BRANTINGHAM, DECEASED SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA In re the matter of: Barclay Brantingham Revocable Trust Dated January 14, 2016 Case No. 25PR00398 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the creditors and contingent creditors of the above‑named decedent, that all persons having claims against the decedent are required to file them with the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, located at 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101, and whose mailing address is P.O. Box 21107, Santa Barbara, California 93121‑1107, and deliver pursuant to Section 1215 of the California Probate Code a copy to Wendy Brantingham, as successor trustee of the trust dated January 14, 2016 wherein the decedent was the settlor, c/o Jeff Daugherty, Esq., Laborde & Daugherty, 924 Anacapa Street, Suite 1‑T, Santa Barbara, California 93101, within the later of four months after August 7, 2025 (the date of the first publication of notice to creditors) or, if notice is mailed or personally delivered to you, 60 days after the date this notice is mailed or personally delivered to you. A claim form may be obtained from the court clerk. For your protection, you are encouraged to file your claim by certified mail, with a return receipt requested. ________________________________ _______________ Jeff Daugherty, Esq. Attorney for Wendy Brantingham Successor Trustee Laborde & Daugherty 924 Anacapa Street, Suite 1‑T Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Published: August 7, 14, 21, 28 2025.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA STATE OF CALIFORNIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara, State of California, on August 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter, in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, California, to take public testimony regarding adjustment of fees for retail food facility programs administered by the County of Santa Barbara Health Department,

Environmental Health Services (EHS). A copy of said Fee Resolution will be available for review at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing at the Santa Barbara County Clerk of the Board at 105 East Anapamu, Santa Barbara, California. The proposed fee revisions will recover the increased cost of EHS providing permitting and inspection services for retail food facilities consistent with the Board of Supervisors’ direction for full cost recovery of services, where practicable. The public hearing to be held on August 26, 2025 is for the purpose of considering all objections or protests to the adoption of the revised EHS fee schedule for retail food facility programs. Any objections or protests to the adoption of the proposed Fee Resolution may be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors before the public hearing scheduled for 9:00 a.m., August 26, 2025. The address of the Clerk of the Board is: 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101.

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE Trustee Sale No. 182500 Title No. 95531097‑55 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 11/17/2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 08/27/2025 at 10:00 AM, Prime Recon LLC, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 11/28/2006, as Instrument No. 2006‑0091927, in book xx, page xx, of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Santa Barbara County, State of California, executed by Charles M Henrotin, a widower WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK/CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by 2924h(b), (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States), Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State, described as: FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE DEED OF TRUST. APN 077‑ 331‑007 The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 6228 Muirfield Drive, Goleta, CA 93117 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $106,096.91 If the Trustee is unable to convey

title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused a Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. Dated: 7/24/25Prime Recon LLC Prime Recon LLC. may be attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained may be used for that purpose. By: Devin Ormonde, Assistant Vice President Prime Recon LLC 27368 Via Industria, Ste 201 Temecula, CA 92590 (888) 725‑4142 FOR TRUSTEE’S SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: (844) 901‑0998 OR VIEW OUR WEBSITE: https://salesinformation.prime‑ recon.com NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (800) 280‑2832 for information regarding the trustee” sale or visit this Internet Web site ‑ www.auction.com ‑ for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case: TS#182500. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the

trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,”you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (800) 280‑2832 for information regarding the trustee’s sale, or visit this internet website www.auction.com or auction.com/sbl079 for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case TS#182500 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. A‑ FN4848871 07/31/2025, 08/07/2025, 08/14/2025

SUMMONS SUMMONS IN THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA IN AND FOR CARSON CITY CASE NO: 25 DR1 00266 1B DEPT: 1 In the Matter of the Termination of the Parental Rights of: NOAH HOTCHKISS, DOB 09/15/2015, Minor Child. TO: JOHN DOE, the Unknown Father of a minor child conceived with Alanys Hotchkiss between December 2014 and February 2015. THE STATE OF NEVADA SENDS GREETINGS TO THE ABOVE‑NAMED DEFENDANT: NOTICE! YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. THE COURT MAY DECIDE AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR BEING HEARD UNLESS YOU RESPOND WITHIN 21 DAYS. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW. TO THE DEFENDANT: A civil Complaint has been filed by the plaintiff against you. 1. If you wish to defend this lawsuit, you must, within 21 days after this Summons is served on you, exclusive of the day of service, file with this Court a written pleading* in response to this Complaint. 2. Unless you respond, your default will be entered upon application of the plaintiff, and this Court may enter a judgment against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint**, which could result in the taking of money or property or the relief requested in the Complaint. 3. If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your response may be filed on time. 4. You are required to serve your response upon plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is JENNIFER S. ANDERSON, ESQ. 415 W. SECOND STREET CARSON CITY, NV 89703 (775) 841‑5888 Date: July 8, 2025 William Sott Hoen, Clerk of the Court By: C. Cooper, Deputy Clerk Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. NOTICE OF HEARING Jennifer S. Anderson, Esq, Nevada Bar No. 9498 415 W. Second Street Carson City, NV 89703 (775) 841‑5888 jsanderson4595@gmail.com ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONERS IN THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA IN AND FOR CARSON CITY In the Matter of the Termination of the Parental Rights of NOAH HOTCHKISS, DOB 09/15/2015. Minor Child. CASE NO.: 25 DR100266 1B DEPT. NO.: 1 NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR ORDER TERMINATING THE

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LEGALS (CONT.) PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE NATURAL MOTHER AND UNKNOWN FATHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Petitioners, Matt Hansinger and Pam Hansinger, by and through their attorney, Jennifer S. Anderson, Esq., having filed in this Court a PETITION FOR ORDER TERMINATING THE PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE NATURAL MOTHER AND UNKNOWN FATHER, and a hearing has been set for Monday, the 29’ day of September, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.., in Department No. 1, at the Courthouse of the above‑entitled Court in Carson City, State of Nevada. All persons interested are notified to appear and show cause why said Petition should not be granted. Dated this 9 day of July, 2025. William Sott Hoen, Clerk of The Court, By Deputy Clerk; C. Cooper; Published: July 24, 31. Aug 7, 14 2025. SUMMONS IN THE SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA IN AND FOR THE COUNT OF WASHOE STEVE ZEILLER, an individual; and LAURA LEE, an individual, Plaintiff(s), v. SCOTT CORRIDAN, an individual; S C D A SCOTT CORRIDAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company; DOES I through X, inclusive, and ROE ENTITIES I through X, inclusive, Defendant(s) CASE NO.: CV25‑01319 Dept. No.: D10 NOTICE! YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. THE COURT MAY DECIDE AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR BEING HEARD UNLESS YOU RESPOND WITHIN 21 DAYS. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW. TO THE DEFENDANT: S C D A SCOTT CORRIDAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES, LLC A civil complaint has been filed by the plaintiff against you for the relief set forth in the Complaint. 1. If you intend to defend this lawsuit, within 21 days’ after this Summons is served on you (not counting the day of service), you must: a. File with the Clerk of the Court, whose address is shown below, a formal written response to the Complaint in accordance with the rules of the Court with the appropriate filing fee. b. Serve a copy of your response upon the attorney(s) whose name and address are shown below. 2. Unless you respond, your default will be entered upon application of the plaintiff and this Court may enter a judgment against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint, which could result in the taking of money or property or other relief requested in the Complaint. 3. If you intend to seek an attorney’s advice, do it quickly so that your response can be Filed on time. Issued at the direction of /s/ Matthew S. McLaughlin David M. Doto (11796) Matthew S. McLaughlin (16110) HUTCHISON & STEFFEN, PLLC; Peccole Professional Park 10080 W. Alta Dr., Ste, 200 Las Vegas, NV 89145 Attorneys for plaintiffs’ CLERK OF COURT, ALICIA LERUD By: /s/ C. SULEZICH (Signature) Date: 6/04/2025 Deputy Clerk Second Judicial District 44) Court Street Reno, Nevada 89501 Published: July 24. Aug 7, 14, 21 2025. SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): TERI BAGGAO TUASON; ESTERINA BAGGAO TUASON; TERI BAGGAO TUASON and ESTERINA BAGGAO TUASON, Trustees of the TERI BAGGAO TUASON 2000 TRUST dated September 22, 2000; ESTERINA PROPERTIES and DOES 1 through 100, Inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): ANAHI CORIA JAIMES; TELMA PEREZ CARPIO; EVER GUEVARA CORIA by and through their Guardian ad Litem Anahi Coria Jaimes; JUAN E. GUEVARA CORIA by and through their Guardian ad Litem Anahi Coria Jaimes; EMILIANO JAVIER GUEVARA CORIA by and through their Guardian ad Litem Anahi Coria Jaimes NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and legal papers are served

on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self‑Help C e n t e r ( w w w. c o u r t i n f o . c a . g o v / selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Website (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self‑Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. !ADVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en el formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 o más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): VENTURA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 800 South Victoria Avenue , Ventura, CA93009; CASE NO: (Número del Caso): 2024CUBC029145 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la dirección, y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante que no tiene abogado es): Jonathan Nielson (805) 639‑8600; 4015 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite B, Camarillo CA 93012 DATE (Fecha): 11/22/2024. Clerk, by (Secretario) /s/ Mari Soto, Deputy (Adjunto)

Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025. AMENDMENT TO COMPLAINT VENTURA SUPERIOR COURT FILED 07/01/2025 Muller SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF VENTURA Limited Civil Case 12 800 SOUTH VICTORIA AVE. VENTURA, CA 93009’PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER ANAHI CORIA JAIMES, et al. DEFENDANT/ RESPONDENT TERI BAGGAO TUASON, et al. AMENDMENT TO COMPLAINT CASE NUMBER: 2024CUBCO29145 INCORRECT NAME (Requires order thereon) (c1 Plaintiff(s) having designated a defendant in the complaint by the incorrect name of TERI BAGGAO TUASON and ESTERINA BAGGAO TUASON, Trustees of the BAGGAO Tuason 2000 Having discovered the true name of the defendant to be TERI BAGGAO TUASON and ESTERINA BAGGAO TUASON, Trustees rn of the ERI BAGGAO UASON 2000 TRUS ate September 22, 2000 Plaintiff requests the complaint be amended by inserting such true name instead of such incorrect name wherever it appears in the complaint. Melinda Castro, ORDER Proper cause appearing, the above amendment to the complaint is allowed. Dated: 06/27/2026 PROOF OF SERVICE I am over the age of 18 years and not a party to this action. My business address is 4015 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite B, Camarillo, CA 93012 On June 24, 2025, I served the foregoing document described as AMENDMENT TO COMPLAINT on the interested parties in this action as follows: Brian Noini 203059 Law Office of Brian Nomi 215 E. Daily Dr. #28 Camarillo CA 93010 briannomi@yarhoo.com Attorney for Teri Baggao Tuason XX BY EMAIL: I personally sent a true copy to the addressee’s email address: I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on June 24, 2025 at Camarillo, California. Melinda Castro Published: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 2025.

TRUSTEE NOTICE APN: 043‑152‑013 TS No: CA05000002‑23‑3 TO No: 250187865‑CA‑VOI NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE (The above statement is made pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(1). The Summary will be provided to Trustor(s) and/or vested owner(s) only, pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(2).) YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED October 1, 2018. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On September 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM, At the Main Entrance to the County Courthouse, Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as the duly Appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust recorded on October 2, 2018 as Instrument No. 2018‑0042164, of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Santa Barbara County, California, executed by HECTOR ALESSANDRO CABRERO, A SINGLE MAN AND CLAUDIA MCLAUGHLIN, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as Beneficiary, as nominee for ON Q FINANCIAL, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1809 SAN ANDRES ST, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or

warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee’s Sale is estimated to be $516,100.80 (Estimated). However, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary’s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the Trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee’s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. Notice to Potential Bidders If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a Trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a Trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same Lender may hold more than one mortgage or Deed of Trust on the property. Notice to Property Owner The sale date shown on this Notice of Sale may be postponed one or more times by the Mortgagee, Beneficiary, Trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about Trustee Sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may visit the Internet Website address www. Auction.com or call Auction.com at 800.280.2832 for information regarding the Trustee’s Sale for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case, CA05000002‑23‑3. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. Notice to Tenant NOTICE TO TENANT FOR FORECLOSURES AFTER JANUARY 1, 2021 You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible

bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 800.280.2832, or visit this internet website www.Auction. com, using the file number assigned to this case CA05000002‑23‑3 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more

than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. Date: August 5, 2025 MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA05000002‑23‑3 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 Phone: 949‑252‑8300 TDD: 711 949.252.8300 By: Loan Quema, Authorized Signatory SALE

INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ONLINE AT www.Auction.com FOR AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Auction.com at 800.280.2832 Order Number 115146, Pub Dates: 08/14/2025, 08/21/2025, 08/28/2025, SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HASBARCO) will receive sealed proposals for Security Services for Buena Tierra (residential complex) located at 6021 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA, until 2:00 p.m. on September 15, 2025, at 817 West Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, CA, or emailed to shereeaulman@hasbarco. org. Proposals will be held in confidence and not released in any manner until after contract award. Proposed forms of contract documents, including specifications, are available on the HASBARCO website www.hasbarco.org. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Design Review Board Hybrid Public Hearing – In Person and via Zoom Goleta City Hall – Council Chambers 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B Goleta, CA 93117 Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. ATTENTION: The meeting will be held in person and via the Zoom platform. The public may also view the meeting on Goleta Channel 19 and/or online at https:// www.cityofgoleta.org/goletameetings. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Design Review Board (DRB) of the City of Goleta will conduct a public hearing for the projects listed below, with the date, time, and location of the DRB public hearing set forth above. The agenda for the hearing, including how to participate virtually in the hearing via a Zoom link, will also be posted on the City website at least 72 hours before the hearing (www. cityofgoleta.org). For Conceptual/Preliminary/Final Review: Wheels in Motion Signage & California Environmental Quality Act 6465 Hollister Avenue (APN 073-070-035) Case No. 25-0032-DRB Goleta Self Storage Signage & California Environmental Quality Act 10 S. Kellogg (APN 071-090-082) Case No. 25-0028-DRB Pini Residential Additions & California Environmental Quality Act 7299 Alameda (APM 077-038-001) Case No. 25-0016-DRB For Conceptual/Preliminary Review: Sweet Green Remodel and Site Improvements & California Environmental Quality Act 6820 Calle Real (APN 069-110-084) Case No. 25-0030-DRB PUBLIC COMMENT: Interested people are encouraged to provide public comments during the public hearing in person or virtually through the Zoom webinar, by following the instructions listed on the Design Review Board meeting agenda. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing by emailing the Planning and Environmental Review Department at PERmeetings@cityofgoleta. org. Written comments will be distributed to the Design Review Board and published on the City’s Meeting and Agenda page. FOR PROJECT INFORMATION: For further information on the project, contact Mary Chang, at (805) 961-7567 or mchang@cityofgoleta.org. For inquiries in Spanish, please contact Marcos Martinez at (805) 562-5500 or mmartinez@ cityofgoleta.org. Staff reports and documents will be posted approximately 72 hours before the hearing on the City’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org. In accordance with Gov. Code Section 65103.5, only non-copyrighted plans or plans that the designer has given permission have been published on the City’s website. The full set of plans is available for review at the Planning Counter during counter hours or by contacting the staff member listed for the item 805-9617543. Note: If you challenge the nature of the above action in court, you may be limited to only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City on or before the date of the hearing (Government Code Section 65009(b)(2)). Note: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in the hearing, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 9617505 or cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the hearing will enable City staff to make reasonable arrangements. Publish: Santa Barbara Independent 8/14/25 INDEPENDENT.COM INDEPENDENT.COM AUGUST AUGUST 14, 14, 2025 2025 THE INDEPENDENT

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