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Team Indy Triumphs at Their First Triathlon

TABLE of CONTENTS

Volume 40 #2076, Sept. 3-10, 2026

COVER STORY

COURTESY

Editor in Chief Marianne Partridge Publisher Brandi Rivera Executive Editor Nick Welsh Senior Editor Tyler Hayden Senior Writer Matt Kettmann News Editor Jackson Friedman Opinions Editor Jean Yamamura Arts and Culture Editor Leslie Dinaberg Calendar Editor Terry Ortega Calendar Assistant Olivia Ison News Reporters Ryan P. Cruz, Callie Fausey, Elaine Sanders Senior Arts Writer Josef Woodard Mickey Flacks Fund Fellow Christina McDermott Photographer Ingrid Bostrom Assistant Editor Tiana Molony Copy Chief Tessa Reeg Copy Editors Evan Ragland, Nathan Vived Sports Editor Victor Bryant Web Content Manager Don Brubaker Social Media Manager Maya Johnson Food Writer George Yatchisin Travel Writers Macduff Everton, Mary Heebner Art Director Xavier Pereyra Associate Production Manager Bianca Castro Graphic Designers Leah Brewer, Diego Melgoza, Haley Snyder Columnists Dennis Allen, Gail Arnold, Sara Caputo, Christine S. Cowles, Laura Gransberry, Betsy J. Green, Austin Lampson, Melinda Palacio, Cheri Rae, Hugh Ranson, Amy Ramos, Lorissa Rinehart, Starshine Roshell Contributors Rob Brezsny, Jim Buckley, Cynthia Carbone Ward, Ben Ciccati, Cheryl Crabtree, John Dickson, Roger Durling, Chuck Graham, Keith Hamm, Rebecca Horrigan, Gareth Kelly, Kevin McKiernan, Carl Perry, David Starkey, Ethan Stewart, Brian Tanguay, Tom Tomorrow, Jatila Van der Veen, Isabelle Walker, Maggie Yates, John Zant Director of Advertising Sarah Sinclair Marketing and Events Manager 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, Natalie MacFarlane, Danielle Verlardi 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

Fall Home & Garden 2026

Octagonal Pots, Edible Gardens, Ergonomic Tables — Oh My! by Tiana Molony & by Indy Staff

NEWS..................................................... 7 OPINIONS..........................................15

Team Indy (from left: Alisha Genetin and reporters Elaine Sanders and Christina McDermott) holding the first place trophy for the Santa Barbara Triathlon

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

While some of our staff was busy setting up our INDY40 Fest event this past Saturday at the Presidio, two of our staff members started their morning very differently. Two of our reporters, Christina McDermott and Elaine Sanders, started their day like many others with the Santa Barbara Triathlon and Beach Festival. More than just attending, they were competing in a relay triathlon race with McDermott’s friend Alisha Genetin and won!

Voices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

OBITUARIES.....................................16 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

THE WEEK........................................37 ARTS LIFE ......................................... 41 LIVING ................................................ 47 FOOD & DRINK..............................51 Restaurant Guy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

ASTROLOGY .................................. 54 CLASSIFIEDS..................................55 ON THE COVER: Pecos Pryor and James Hapke. Photo by Ingrid Bostrom. Design by Xavier Pereyra.

“I knew I would be swimming a lot of open-water races this summer as part of Reef and Run and wanted to try something team-related. At the time, Alisha had just completed her first marathon, and I thought, ‘Yay! I know a runner.’ Elaine was biking with different groups around town and I was like, ‘Excellent, now I know a cyclist!’” McDermott explained. “The bikes were fun to look at, so many people with full carbon-fiber frames and wheels, alien-looking aero helmets, full Lycra suits. It was so much fun to watch Alisha pass the finish line, cheering her on all the way home. It is so rewarding to do it as a team, each one of us felt like we had to keep the momentum up and not let the team down,” Sanders said. Head to independent.com/about-the-indy to read the full story about how Team Indy won their triathlon relay race.

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Highlights of South and Southeast Asian Art, Himalayas Ongoing

AT THE

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A Few of Our Favorite Things: Staff Selects from the Permanent Collection Closing September 6

LEFT TO RIGHT: Garuda, the Man-Bird as a Guardian King, Indonesian, Central Java, 9th-10th century. Andesite, 31 x 16 ½ x 18 ½ in. Museum purchase with funds provided by an Anonymous Donor, 2013.18. Kobayashi Kiyochika 小林清親小林清親, Late Autumn Calm on the Sumida River, January 1880. SBMA, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Roland A. Way.

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NEWS of the WEEK

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

State St. Master Plan Approved

NEWS BRIEFS ELECTION 2026

Council Supports Vision for Downtown, Though Questions Remain over Funding, Interim Operations C I T Y O F S A N TA B A R B A R A

by Ryan P. Cruz he State Street Master Plan, the guiding document for the future of downtown Santa Barbara, was approved by City Council in a 6-1 vote—with Mayor Randy Rowse voting in opposition—at the end of another lengthy council hearing on Tuesday night. City Council’s approval of the plan marks a major milestone on the path toward a major rehaul of State Street, signaling a shared vision for a flexible pedestrian-centered central district, though questions remain over interim operations and how the city will fund the nearly $100 million price tag. The new design, completed by renowned architect and urban planner Stefanos Polyzoides, is the result of nearly five years’ worth of city planning efforts, combining the input from dozens of public meetings, recommendations from city review boards, and suggestions from hundreds of letters and public comments from residents, business owners, and members of community organizations. State Street Master Planner Tess Harris,

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who has worked closely with Polyzoides to finalize the plan, presented the latest version to City Council on Tuesday. Harris said the plan for a flexible street with retractable bollards earned support from every city board over the past few months, but City Council was not expected to decide on the cars-or-no-

cars issue at this time. The current estimate for the entire project, which includes major upgrades to the downtown stormwater drainage system, is more than $96 million. These upgrades would be necessary with or without the State Street master plan, Harris said. CONT’D ON PAGE 13

PUBLIC SAFETY

County, Goleta Propose Regulations that Would Apply to New Businesses but Not Existing Firearms Retailer Near Preschool

by Jean Yamamura

ALISHA GENETIN

Gun Shop Buffer Zones in Works anta Barbara County holds 10 firearms retailers, and two of them are in Goleta. One is next door to a preschool at 7344 Hollister Avenue and a flashpoint of contention that reached City Council and beyond. The proximity problem came up on Tuesday at both the Goleta City Council and the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, with each of them voting to pursue the creation of a 1,000-foot buffer between any two similar businesses — only future, not present, businesses — but the size of the buffer and what exactly it would apply to now lies in the hands of staffers, who are to research and return with reports. County Supervisors Laura Capps and Joan Hartmann, each representing a slice of Goleta, have had an eye on the alarm bells going off in the city since early August. Led by Ellwood neighbors and parents, the opposition to Goodland Guns moving into a former 7-Eleven next to How We Grow preschool has been cordial but determined. They’ve spoken at the last two city coun-

The Santa Barbara mayoral race heated up this week following the announcement of prominent endorsements for two of the leading candidates, Eric Friedman and Kristen Sneddon. Friedman earned the endorsement of Congressmember Salud Carbajal, one of the leading Democrats in the Santa Barbara area. Sneddon, who previously earned the endorsements of the S.B. County Democratic Party and several former mayors, earned additional endorsements from three members of the County Board of Supervisors: Laura Capps, Roy Lee, and Joan Hartmann. Both Sneddon and Friedman will be included in the Independent’s Mayoral Forum at Alhecama Theatre on 9/30 ahead of the 11/3 election.

After more than a half-century in Isla Vista, the senior living community Friendship Manor is moving to Santa Barbara’s Eastside. This summer, the retirement community’s management FC announced that Friendship Manor had purchased 711 N. Milpas Street, the site of Capitol Hardware. Friendship Manor is planning a 156room building with a shared kitchen and eight housing units for staff. It will include two large activity rooms, a library, and theater. Friendship Manor boardmember Eva Turenchalk said they hope to have building permits by early next year and make the move in 2029. The state awarded both Santa Barbara County and the City of Santa Barbara the Department of Housing and Community Development’s pro-housing designation on 8/20. The designation is given to cities and counties working to build and maintain housing and opens the door for more funding. Both the county and city also received funding from the state’s pro-housing incentive program to build more affordable housing and fulfill housing element requirements; the county received $1.25 million in funding and the city received $1 million.

EDUCATION Students at Harding, McKinley, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Junior High, Franklin, and Cleveland were placed on a minimum day schedule on 8/27 due to extreme heat and a lack of air conditioning. Districts throughout the state, including S.B. Unified, had HVAC improvements in the works, but funding was provided through a state grant program—called CalSHAPE—which is expiring. The district does not have time to finish the work it started to install air conditioning, including at the schools with minimum days.

COURTS & CRIME A small crowd attended Goleta council's meeting on Tuesday, with a new purpose at Bell Canyon's old Ellwood Onshore Facility on the agenda as well as setting a buffer zone between firearms dealers and preschools. Goodland Guns owner Dan Ashton sits at right.

cil meetings, expressing their concern the gun store was close to children and a Safe Routes to School Class I bike path and sidewalk. They were even sympathetic to gun shop retailer Dan Ashton, who feels he’s been jerked around by Goleta’s rules. The county has no rules that separate

a preschool from a gun store, either — it had a rule for a 1,000-foot buffer between kindergarten–12th grade schools, but not preschools. Capps’s and Hartmann’s chiefs of staff, Gina Fisher and Chris Henson, respectively, presented the day’s staff report. Henson said they’d asked the planning CONT’D ON PAGE 8

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

Schools in Orcutt faced two unrelated threats in the same week, one of which turned out to be credible. On 8/21, the Sheriff’s Office investigated a threat posted on social media directed at Orcutt Academy High School. The school contacted authorities that evening after a student posted a video on TikTok threatening to carry out a school shooting on 8/24. After locating the male juvenile behind the post and his parents, deputies determined that“he did not have the means to carry out the threat.”The case was forwarded to County Juvenile Probation for consideration of criminal charges. Only four days later, the Sheriff’s Office announced it had “thwarted” a separate school threat CONT’D ON PAGE 13

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director to let them know if any firearms permit requests were made as they worked on the new rules, and sure enough, one was made within a couple of weeks. That prompted them to add a temporary moratorium to the proposal on any firearmsbusiness-related approvals of 45 days. Because conditional-use permits (CUP) include public notice and an appeal period, the county will look at requiring a CUP for future firearms retailers. Gunrelated business in homes — described by Planning Director Lisa Plowman as gunsmithing, gun repair, and gun sales — could be prohibited. The county had issued nine such permits, she said, but that didn’t necessarily mean business was transacted in the home; it could take place elsewhere. Supervisor Steve Lavagnino brought up potential Second Amendment issues, for instance, if the county were to create laws that ended up banning a gun retailer. County Counsel Rachel Van Mullem replied that the 1,000-foot buffer might be reduced, depending on what their mapping showed. The buffer’s “child-serving locations” are described as childcare centers, parks, playgrounds, youth centers, places of worship, religious establishments, and similar places. Calling himself the “board contrarian on this,” Supervisor Bob Nelson advocated for the status quo, observing that not everyone looked at gun stores negatively. In fact, he said, studies showed that

capable of handling horses, cattle, goats, and other species is 30 miles away in Ventura. Since losing state funding in the 1990s and early 2010s, the multi-use facility has received zero tax payer dollars and is “financially self-sustaining,” according to the facility’s website, relying on event revenue, property usage fees, and donations. The struggle has resulted in a deficit of over $100,000, sparking false rumors of the showgrounds potentially closing in 2019. Showgrounds CEO Ben Sprague said the new rental charge is part of a larger effort to standardize rental agreements with all entities using the property. Free occupancy could run afoul of the California Constitution, which prohibits the gifting of public funds. During public comment, attorney Philip Seymour read from a state Supreme Court decision: “It’s well settled that in determining whether an appropriation of public funds or property is to be considered gift, the primary question is whether the funds are to be used for a public or private purpose. If they are for a public purpose, they are not a gift.” “It’s a treasure that you have here, so be wise,” warned public commenter Dr. Najera. “If you lose [Equine Evac] it is going to be a horrible thing. You’ll be remembered.” Despite a public speaker time limit of one minute, time ran out. A concrete decision regarding the matter will made by the end —Elaine Sanders of next month’s meeting.

CONT’D FROM P.7 gun violence went down near gun stores, especially in suburban areas. “I understand that we see differently up here on the board,” he said to his colleagues. The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to revisit the retail gun buffer on September 22. The conversation at Goleta City Council Tuesday night was a “study session” during which the council, and public commenters, gave staff their thoughts on myriad options in regulating gun stores more tightly. Under consideration were changes regarding zoning locations, what could be considered “sensitive uses,” and buffer distances and whether they should include residential zones, as the cannabis regulation does. Planner Anne Wells also asked the council to consider use standards like hours of operation or fencing, and business license changes. Goleta is rectangular in shape, developed as a suburb to Santa Barbara and UC Santa Barbara with large areas of housing tracts and narrow corridors of commercial zoning and larger patches of industrial zones. Any buffer distance established will depend on what’s close to what else, Wells indicated. Other cities’ retail firearms buffers range from 500 to 1,000 feet. Whatever Goleta chooses, it cannot eliminate the ability to acquire firearms, city attorney Isaac Rosen said. The owner of the gun store in question, Dan Ashton, was there to address the council. He warned that the requirement of a conditional use permit in a liberal CONT’D ON PAGE 11

COUNTY

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potentially powerful El Niño winter storm season has Santa Barbara County advising residents to prepare now: check properties to ensure gutters, drains, and culverts are clear; get a go kit ready; and even get flood insurance. One reason was because FEMA was likely to bring less funding for any disaster, said Public Works Director Chris Sneddon, as it has higher thresholds for disaster declarations. During the 2023-24 storms, Passing cars send waves of water toward county workers and a resident the county incurred $60 mil- trying to find and unclog a drain along Mission Canyon Road during a lion in costs of response, but storm in December 2023. of that the Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursed only $4 Director Lisa Plowman, as well as walking million, Sneddon said, which has affected the beaches after each storm. This was necesPublic Works’ reserves for flood control sary as 100 percent of the 70 landowners on and transportation. Public Works is doing the Isla Vista cliffs have not complied with its own work to prepare waterways for an a new rule to submit distance-from-edge influx of rain, he said, clearing creeks, fixing measurements to the county. “None,” Plowdrainage, and making sand bags available to man said. the public as of November 1. Community Weather predictions aim best toward Services will be ready to open emergency accuracy about seven days before a storm, shelters in November, said Jesus Armas, who but NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center leads that department. forecasts that the county’s winter weather The bluffs and cliffs in densely populated is “leaning” toward a 40-50 percent chance Isla Vista are what concerned Supervisor of above-normal rainfall for NovemberLaura Capps, as they have disappeared from January. During the typical rainy season below apartment decks in recent years. Her of January-March, the prediction is a more staff flies a drone along the cliffs to get a positive 50-60 percent “likely” chance of baseline of their condition, said Planning above-normal rain. —Jean Yamamura

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t Tuesday’s county board meeting, supervisors began seriously considering how to approach the installation of utility-scale solar systems. Supervisor Laura Capps told her fellow board members that other California counties were “far outpacing” Santa Barbara. Currently the county has only allowed 600 acres of panels to be built at an outpost in Cuyama Valley. In July, the board had first discussed allowing more large-scale solar projects, but had balked at the 16,000 acres proposed by the county planning commission, and instead suggested allowing the construction of only 10,000 acres. Capps, however, said that since that July meeting she had been learning just how far behind the county was in adopting the large-scale use of solar panels for general utility use. She urged accepting the 16,000acre countywide cap on solar projects proposed by the Planning Commission. The 10,000-acre cap, she said, “just doesn’t cut it.” (For reference, 10,000 acres is only two percent of the county’s total agricultural land.) However, supervisors Bob Nelson and Steve Lavagnino worried about being “solar-ed over” in their North County districts, where much of the proposed solar will likely go.

The supervisors will have to decide where the solar panels will go and how much acreage should be allowed; whether that acreage could be split between North and South County — perhaps based on population, electric service areas, or available agricultural land; and where should the battery storage be located for all that newfound energy. Santa Barbara County Fire Marshal Fred Tan assured the board that the installation of lithium-ion batteries could be safely contained. The fire department will use appropriate mitigation measures, he said, implementing new energy storage policies they had adopted earlier this year. The board also discussed limiting solar on non-prime ag-land to 15 percent and allowing on-site solar for agricultural use up to 15 acres. Ultimately, the board directed staff to confirm the agricultural allowance up to 15 acres, create a 16,000-acre countywide cap based on the Planning Commission’s recommendation, accept a 50-foot minimum setback for energy storage systems and not split the acreage between North and South County. Final consideration for the utility-scale solar regulations is scheduled for Septem—Callie Fausey ber 22. INDEPENDENT.COM SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT

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�TAT� ��NAT� L�AD�R MONI�U� LIMÓN HONOR� BOTANIC GARD�N Congratulations to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden on being named CA State Senate Leader Monique Limón's 2026 Nonprofit of the Year! The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is celebrating its centennial year of protecting native plants in California. The organization is being recognized for groundbreaking research, dedication to conserving our landscapes, and educating our communities about the importance of biodiversity.

CO U R T E S Y

S.B. Charities Respond to Nepal

Direct Relief is sending aid to its two partners in Nepal, including Mountain Heart Nepal and Dhulikhel Hospital.

wide-scale disaster is unfolding in Nepal. Flash flooding last week inundated entire villages, killing more than 900 people and counting. More than 4,000 people remain missing, including Americans. Santa Barbara–based charities Direct Relief and ShelterBox are drawing on experience in the region to guide their response to the recent floods. “With all of the infrastructure damage, access to people and to care has been truly washed away,” said Alexandra Kelleher, an emergency response senior program manager at Direct Relief. But Direct Relief was prepared, drawing on its previous response to a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal that triggered a large avalanche and killed more than 9,000 people in 2015. The organization had prepositioned emergency medical supplies at partner sites in the area to aid in search and rescue efforts, Kelleher said. Those emergency supplies—and a $25,000 grant to volunteer medical group Mountain Heart Nepal — addressed survivors’ immediate health needs, from treating acute wounds and trauma patients to providing essential medications to those with chronic conditions. The organization had also already sent

GUN SHOP town was “a thinly veiled ban” on guns. He was supported by two other speakers. One said she was the only local manufacturer of non-lead bullets when California passed its ban on lead ammunition, selling to police and sheriff ’s departments. Another asked the city to help Ashton find another location. Goleta’s cannabis license update a few years ago had also included buffer zones. While the consequences of a 1,000-foot buffer around any school, place of worship, or other location considered “sensitive” needed to be mapped, the cannabis license provided a template for a 600-foot buffer for sensitive locations and a 100foot buffer to residences. Goleta’s zoning underlies the issue at 7344 Hollister. Two preschools had been next door to the address, which until 2023 held a 7-Eleven. Many have noted that the convenience store sold both alcohol and tobacco; noteworthy perhaps, but a preschool is beneath the K-12 thresh-

a $287,000 shipment of diabetes and cancer medications in early August. A lack of clean water, power, hygiene, and sanitation will only exacerbate medical needs. Direct Relief is now preparing two additional shipments of medicines, first aid packs, hygiene kits, and equipment from its Santa Barbara County warehouse. Together, they weigh nine tons and are valued at $4 million. It will also deliver solar lights from Santa Barbara–based nonprofit Unite to Light. Direct Relief expects the shipments to go out this week. While Direct Relief provides medicine, ShelterBox provides cover. ShelterBox also responded after the 2015 earthquake, and the need now is similar: Thousands of people have lost their homes, and critical infrastructure is damaged. The team at ShelterBox is currently working to understand the scale of the disaster and determine what it can physically manage to deliver or procure locally to bring to the communities that have essentially been cut off, said ShelterBox U.S.A. President Kerri Murray. They have a response team en route to Nepal, which they will later supplement with additional staff and volunteers, Murray said

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CONT’D FROM P.8 old. Goleta will be considering a zoning change to the “community commercial” designation, which applies to 7344 Hollister Avenue. Adding security requirements to the firearms business license and public notice of a new application is also under consideration. Removing gun-shop barriers in industrial zones, an area Ashton had first considered, was worth the time it would take, the council agreed. The zoning change would require both a General Plan Amendment and review by the Planning Commission. Timeliness became a factor, just as it had for the county earlier in the day. A moratorium on new, not existing, firearms licenses was added to staff ’s plate. Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín said any moratorium, which will return at an upcoming council meeting, would not preclude helping Goodland Guns find a new location, to which Mayor Paula Perotte agreed. n INDEPENDENT.COM SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT

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Law Enforcement Legend Retires

ieutenant Ugo Peter “Butch” Arnoldi appeared Tuesday before the Board of Supervisors to be honored for his upcoming retirement after more than 53 years with the Sheriff ’s Office. Arnoldi joined the department when Richard Nixon was president and gasoline was less than 50 cents a gallon. He will step away as one of the longest-serving employees in county history, possibly the longest of them all. Over the course of his career, Arnoldi worked under five different Sheriffs, serving as a correc- From left: Supervisors Bob Nelson and Roy Lee, Lt. Ugo tions officer, patrol deputy, field Peter “Butch” Arnoldi, and Sheriff Bill Brown at the Board of training officer, detective, station Supervisors on Tuesday commander, watch commander, police chief, and sheriff ’s adjutant. He ship that he offered to generations of depbecame a familiar face in communities uty sheriffs, and the compassion that he across the county and developed a repu- showed to the people of this county when tation as a blunt, but beloved, old-school they were in need,” Sheriff Bill Brown said. lawman who was intensely involved in the “His career embodies public service at its places he policed. very best.” Arnoldi’s years in Isla Vista placed him When it was his turn to speak, Arnoldi at the center of one of the county’s most choked back tears to thank his family for volatile jurisdictions. He was also repeat- their encouragement and sacrifice and, edly called upon when the county suf- most of all, “for sharing me with the Sherfered a disaster. He worked fires, floods, iff ’s Office and the public we proudly serve debris flows, and mass-casualty incidents. on a daily basis.” He won the H. Thomas Guerry Award, Arnoldi spoke proudly of all the jobs he the highest honor given to Santa Barbara held but devoted the heart of his remarks peace officers, twice. And he spent his off- to the people of Santa Barbara County. “It hours lending a hand to the Special Olym- is I that should be thanking each of you for pics and Red Cross. not only supporting me all these years, but “Butch’s legacy is not defined only by for entrusting me to care for you, watch the years that he served, but by the heart over you, and comfort you in your time of —Tyler Hayden that he brought to his work, the mentor- need,” he said.

BUSINESS

How’s the One Percent Wine Fee Working for Wineries?

hough the one percent fee on wine sales didn’t generate as much money as originally estimated by the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association, the organization did put the $1.1 million generated over the past year to good use, according to the Vintners CEO Alison Laslett. In a presentation on Tuesday to the county Board of Supervisors about the wine improvement district (WID), which began collecting payments in April 2025, she outlined the progress made in the program’s inaugural year: hiring a national PR firm, expanding its media-hosting program, creating an informational website for district members, and launching a digital marketing campaign. She provided numerous metrics for the resulting impact, including 3.1 billion digital impressions since the work began. The proceeds were about $500,000 short of the original predictions because they were based on a robust sales period 12

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following COVID, said Laslett. But amid so many headlines reporting struggling wine sales globally, Laslett delivered hopeful news. “Santa Barbara County, unlike some other regions, is holding steady or has a very slight increase in sales, whereas other counties this year have declined,” said Laslett. “I do think the work we do is protective for the wine industry right now.” Supervisor Joan Hartmann was profuse in her support of the program, explaining that the county’s other tourism marketing efforts are fragmented into four different agencies, from Visit Santa Barbara and Visit the Santa Ynez Valley to similar organizations in Lompoc and Santa Maria. “This is precisely … the gap that the wine improvement district fills,” she said. “It’s the only marketing organization in this county that operates at a countywide scale…. They are telling one consistent story of Santa Barbara County.” —Matt Kettmann

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NEWS of the WEEK CONT’D

The details of this funding plan would be decided during the next budget planning cycle, though city officials are also looking to secure grant funding. If the city moves on an accelerated timeline, the project could be done in three phases over six years, with construction beginning as soon as 18 months. Ideally, the city would begin with lighting improvements, upgraded shuttle service, and pre-construction efforts. Other early actions could include converting one-way streets near State Street into two-ways. “A firm ‘yes’ today sets us on our forward motion. We can start cleaning up the street; we can start lighting it; we can start programming it,” said Councilmember Kristen Sneddon. “That’s where we can spend our energies, instead of this constant perception that it hasn’t been addressed.” During public comment, some community members wanted work to begin quickly, while others worried there was no solid funding plan. Business owners urged reopening portions of the street.

Councilmember Wendy Santamaria said she understood the concerns about the hefty price but was hopeful that the city could secure much of the funding from outside sources. “We very obviously don’t have $96 million in our reserve or general fund,” Santamaria said. Councilmember Meagan Harmon has been consistent in her support of the State Street Master Plan, and said “The real commitment — the actual allocations — those moments are still to come, and those are not small things.” Councilmember Eric Friedman voted in favor of the plan, though he attempted to make a last-minute motion asking council to vote on a shorter four-block closure. The motion failed for lack of a second. Mayor Rowse voted against the plan, calling the removal of cars from State Street a failed six-year experiment that was too long to function effectively The city will begin with early phases of the plan, and City Council is expected to discuss the interim plans — with options for addressing concerns over cars and e-bikes — in the coming months. n

BRIEFS in Orcutt and recovered two explosive devices during a multi-day investigation involving a different juvenile, who was connected with intervention services, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Administrators at the juvenile’s school were notified. The investigation remains ongoing. The legal dispute over whether the Farmhouse Motel in Buellton will have to convert back to short-term stays continues. On 8/26, the motel’s legal team filed a motion for a preliminary injunction that would pause enforcement of the city’s ordinance until a judge rules on the case. The Farmhouse currently offers singleroom-occupancy units to several long-term tenants; the ordinance would require those tenants to find different accommodations or have their names on a Housing Authority waiting list by 10/22. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for 12/3. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Energy Commission filed a lawsuit last week challenging the Trump administration’s attempts to pay wind energy producers to stop pursuing wind developments and instead invest in fossil fuels. The administration conducted an “unlawful buyout” of Golden State Wind’s offshore wind energy lease in Morro Bay, Bonta argues, jeopardizing high-quality jobs and the state’s investments in the offshore wind industry. Under the agreement, the U.S. Department of the Interior reallocated $120 million in federal taxpayer dollars—the cost of Golden State Wind’s offshore lease—to pay the company to abandon its lease in federal waters and invest an equal amount into fossil fuel projects. “California is arguing that the deal is blatantly unlawful and is asking the court to strike it down,” Bonta’s office claimed in its announcement of the lawsuit.

ENVIRONMENT Environmentalists are celebrating the California Senate and Assembly’s passing of Assembly Bill 1448 last week. The bill, authored by Santa Barbara Assemblymember Gregg Hart, would prohibit the use of existing offshore

Coastal Cleanup Day 2026

CONT’D FROM P.7

CONT’D FROM P.7 oil and gas infrastructure for new federal drilling leases. Environmentalists say that the bill could help counteract the Trump Administration’s efforts to put federal waters off California’s coast up for auction for offshore drilling. It is now headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk to be signed into law.

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PUBLIC SAFETY The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a missing Shafter man whose body was found near the Main Jail Administration building on 8/27. The decedent has been identified through fingerprints as David Mireles, 53, who had been arrested and booked into the Main Jail by the California Highway Patrol late 8/19 for misdemeanor DUI. He was cite-released from custody at approximately 10:23 a.m. on 8/20 and soon after reported missing from Shafter. Sheriff’s deputies conducted an extensive search of the jail property and surrounding area but did not initially locate Mireles. Mireles was ultimately found down the hillside adjacent to the end of the walkway in front of the Main Jail Administration building, on the slope toward Honor Farm Road. Based on the preliminary investigation, investigators believe Mireles had likely been at that location since shortly after his release and have found no indication of foul play. Mireles was known to have multiple medical conditions; however, his cause and manner of death have not yet been determined and remain under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau.

Peace Prize Luncheon

COUNTY The Board of Supervisors approved $20,000 in funds for a memorial bench, kiosk, and stone at Walter Capps Park in Isla Vista. The memorial will honor the people who have lost their lives from bluff falls and will include educational material on bluff safety. The Isla Vista Community Services District, the Isla Vista Tenant’s Union, and UCSB’s Associated Students also contributed funding for the project. An installation date has not yet been announced. n

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14 THE INDEPENDENT

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 INDEPENDENT.COM

OPINIONS “TRUMP LOWERS DENIED STAMP ON MAIL-IN BALLOTS” BY CHRISTOPHER WEYANT

Letters

Keep the Trapeze

s the mother of two elementary age children, I strongly encourage the City Council to renew the trapeze agreement at Plaza de Vera Cruz. Both of my daughters participate in the trapeze programs at the park, and they love it. Many residents, children, and adults learn trapeze skills through this program, which generates revenue for the city, and many others enjoy watching them. Plaza de Vera Cruz was formerly little used and sometimes referred to as “needle park.” The city should retain the trapeze program. It is an asset to —Kate Silverman, S.B. our community.

Bike v. Dog Dangers

have walked my dog off-leash at Douglas Preserve for the past six years and am considering stopping because the e-bikes speeding around inside the park are a danger. In another confrontation, but with an adult male in his forties, not the usual teen rider, I saw him nearly run over the dog at high speed. I waved him down as he passed, and he turned around and berated me for having an issue with him riding too fast. He said he was going under the speed limit of 35 mph. Why are e-bikes at Douglas Preserve not regulated? There could easily be a sign that says $10,000 fine for entering these premises with a motorized vehicle. It should also add regular bicycles for that matter, as they also fly past dogs and people wanting to go for a peaceful walk in the park. —Mattias Blom, S.B.

Support for Wardlow

town redevelopment, holding developers to high standards, and addressing the city’s dire housing shortage. Devon is a problem solver with a pragmatic, getit-done approach. She’s skilled at building relationships across the aisle and committed to working with all community members. That has been her professional specialty, and it is sorely needed right now. Devon and I don’t agree on every issue. But I’m impressed by her intelligence, her deep knowledge of local issues, her commitment to the city she loves, and her willingness to work with everyone to find the best solutions for Santa Barbara.

SEPTEMBER 12 & 13

Earl Warren Showgrounds 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara

bit.ly/sbsgoaf

—Mike Jordan, S.B.

Unitarian Universalist?

he Independent’s article about the Mission LLC lawsuit seeking tax exemption on religious grounds a few weeks ago referred to the lawsuit filed by The Mission LLC, alongside a “religious organization” called the Unitarian Universalist Mission. I do not know why it purports to be a religious organization, but I do know that it is unrelated to the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara or the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Goleta. Moreover, it is not recognized as a legitimate entity by the Unitarian Universalist Association, which is the national organization for the Unitarian Universalist religious movement in the United States and has strict guidelines regarding what is required to be a congregation. The only “evidence” I have found regarding The Mission is on the website referenced in the article, which contains a bit of text copied from the Unitarian Universalist Association’s website; this does not make it a legitimate Unitarian Universalist organization. Unitarian Universalists are independent thinkers with a long history of standing on the side of love, justice, and peace. This organization does not represent our values or our community.

am writing to express my strong support for Devon Wardlow as the next member of the Santa Barbara City Council representing the 4th District. With 10 years on the Planning Commission and —Lorraine Woodman, Board President, almost seven on the Council, I’ve developed a clear sense of what it takes to be an effective leader for our Unitarian Society of S.B. community: doing the work, engaging people, and moving the needle. Devon checks all those boxes. We speak often of bridging the divide, of moving beyond the “us versus them” dynamic. I believe ¶ Last week’s news brief on the Ocean Summit Devon is the kind of leader who can help us do should have called it the California Ocean Summit; that—someone who listens, works across differ- it will be hosted in Santa Barbara. ences, and is focused on finding solutions. It isn’t just her 15 years of professional experience The Independent welcomes letters of less than 250 words managing complex projects and initiatives between that include a daytime phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Send to: Letters, S.B. the private sector and local governments, or her five Independent, 223 E. De la Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101; years on our Planning Commission shepherding or fax: 965-5518; or email: letters@independent.com. Unabridged a wide variety of projects, prioritizing our down- versions and more letters appear at independent.com/opinions.

For the Record

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Lobero Theatre Courtyard Monday, September 21, 5:30pm

We Nearly Erased the Wolf Once America Cannot Let It Happen Again

BY EARL MINNIS ook beyond the myths, fear, and propa-

ganda surrounding wolves for generations and see these animals for what they are. Wolves are social animals. They mourn their dead, defend their territories, and form extraordinary bonds that hold their families together. They are also critical to healthy ecosystems. That is why what is happening across the American West should concern — and anger — all of us. After decades of work to bring gray wolves back from the brink of extinction, we are watching policies take shape that could once again make widespread wolf killing an accepted tool of wildlife management. In Idaho, a 2021 law expanded trapping and snaring, authorized private contractors to kill wolves, allowed motorized vehicles in wolf hunts, and removed limits on wolf tags. Montana has expanded wolf harvest opportunities, while Wyoming allows wolves classified as “predatory animals” to be killed year-round across much of the state. These policies are not simply management. They threaten to dramatically reduce an animal that only recently returned to the Northern Rockies after being nearly exterminated from the lower 48 states. Wolves do not recognize state boundaries. A wolf protected in one place can cross an invisible line and suddenly become a target. Bounties Are a Disgrace: I am equally troubled by

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financial incentives connected to wolf killing. Formal government bounties may belong to another era, but reimbursing expenses associated with killing wolves creates a disturbingly similar incentive. Put a price on a predator’s head, and someone will collect it. America once waged an all-out war against predators. Wolves were poisoned, trapped, shot, and systematically eliminated from most of the country, often with government participation and bounties. The result was not a healthier West, but one stripped of a native predator. We should not repeat that disgraceful mistake. We should also be appalled by wildlife-killing contests, sometimes called predator derbies, in which participants compete to kill animals for cash, prizes, or recognition. There is nothing sporting about turning the killing of wildlife into a contest. Wild animals are not points on a scoreboard. I am not suggesting that conflicts between wolves and people or livestock should be ignored. Ranchers deserve practical tools and support. But there is a profound difference between targeted, science-based conflict management and policies designed to drive wolf populations down as far as politically possible. The danger is not limited to state policies. The current administration is weakening important federal safeguards for wildlife and habitat. Changes to Endangered Species Act regulations make it easier to exclude areas from critical habitat and weaken protections against habitat destruction. The administration’s public-land agenda is turning America’s natural heritage into a resource to be exploited rather than a legacy to be protected. By weakening endangered-species protections; opening more land to drilling, mining, and logging; dismantling conservation rules; and reducing the workforce that protects our national parks, the administration is putting wildlife habitat and treasured landscapes at greater risk.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 INDEPENDENT.COM

COURTESY EARL MIINNIS

SANTA BARBARA MAYORAL AND CITY COUNCIL

VOICES

CONT’D

Habitat Is Survival: A species does not become

secure simply because a certain number of animals remain alive. Wildlife needs places to feed, breed, migrate, den, and raise young. When those places are destroyed or fragmented, populations become isolated and vulnerable. The administration has also reopened the door to M-44 sodium-cyanide devices on Bureau of Land Management lands — an alarming return to the mentality that predators are expendable. But there are reasons for hope. On August 5, Senator Cory Booker blocked an attempt to fast-track legislation that would strip gray wolves of their federal Endangered Species Act protections and return management authority to the states. At a moment when wolves are again being portrayed as disposable, Booker refused to let those protections disappear without opposition. We need more leaders willing to do the same. This is bigger than wolves. It is about whether we believe the American West should be managed as a collection of commodities and short-term interests — or as a living ecosystem whose parts are connected in ways we do not always understand. The question is whether we can manage conflicts without returning to the philosophy of eradication. I believe we can. And I believe we must. Wildlife policy is ultimately supported — or challenged — by the public, including those who travel, hike, photograph wildlife, and spend money across the American West. Tourists Should Know What Their Dollars Are Supporting: Tourism is one of the most powerful

tools consumers have. Why spend money in states deliberately destroying one of America’s most iconic and ecologically important animals? Wolves are not just wildlife — they are an economic asset. In the Greater Yellowstone region, wolf watching brings millions of dollars into local communities, supporting hotels, restaurants, guides, photographers, outfitters, and small businesses. If a state chooses aggressive wolf-killing policies, bounty-like incentives, or wildlife-killing contests, visitors have every right to ask whether they want their vacation dollars supporting those policies. The history of wolf extermination in America should be remembered as a shameful chapter — not a model for the future. America nearly erased the wolf once. We cannot n let it happen again.

In Memoriam

Monty Roberts 1935-2026

BY D E B B I E R O B E R T S L O U C K S ong before the world called my father

“The Man Who Listens to Horses,” I knew him simply as Dad. Horses were everywhere in our lives. But so was an idea that was surprisingly radical for its time: A horse did not have to be frightened, hurt, or overpowered in order to learn. There was another way. Dad spent his lifetime looking for that better way. Even late in his life, he would say that he needed two lifetimes. There was simply too much still to learn from horses and too much he wanted to accomplish in one. Eventually, he came to believe that his students would become his second lifetime, carrying what they learned from him forward to their own students and horses. At the beginning of nearly everything Dad did with a horse was something he called “reading the horse.” Before he asked anything, he observed. What did this particular horse need? What was the horse’s body telling him? Was there fear, confusion, curiosity, resistance, relaxation, or willingness?

COURTESY

The Man Who Could Read Horses with more movement, social interaction, companionship, and opportunities to live closer to their natural needs. That evolution means a great deal to me now, but it is also another example of something Dad practiced throughout his life. He was committed to lifelong learning. The farm was never meant to remain a monument to what we knew in 1966. As our understanding of horses grew, the way we cared for them needed to grow too. In that sense, the farm learned along with us.

The Lessons Continue

There is a place here today where visitors can simply sit and observe horses living together in a herd. Dad’s recorded voice encourages them to notice what he spent his lifetime noticing: the movement of an ear, a change in posture, the position of one horse relative to another, an invitation, a boundary, a moment of relaxation. Nothing needs to be performed. Nothing needs to be made to happen. The conversation is already taking place. We only need to become quiet enough to see it. There is something profoundly moving to me about hearing Dad’s voice there now. He is still This is an important distinction when rememdirecting our attention toward the horse: Look. bering Monty’s work. People sometimes speak of Observe. What is the horse telling you? “Monty’s Method,” but Dad did not leave behind Nearby, the Monty Roberts International a rote set of steps. He taught concepts. HorseLearning Center takes that listening further, from manship, to him, was a conversation happening observation into instruction and hands-on learning. Students come from around the world not in real time. The foundation of that conversation was simply to memorize what Monty Roberts did, The Professors: Monty Roberts, with mustangs Beauty and Chief, appreciated all horses as his Equus, the gestural language of the horse. Dad but to learn to read the horse standing in front of teachers and providers. learned much of what became his life’s work by them. They study Equus and put those concepts observing horses, including wild mustangs, cominto practice. They ask. The horse responds. They municating with one another. He believed that if humans demonstrated his concepts around the world, wrote The adjust. The conversation continues. could learn to recognize this language and become more Man Who Listens to Horses and other books, and introAnd the horse keeps the learning honest. aware of what their own bodies were communicating, they duced millions of people to the possibility that force and This brings me back to Dad’s wish for two lifetimes. My could build relationships with horses based on trust rather violence were not necessary to achieve extraordinary things father’s first lifetime ended on July 31, 2026. His second with horses. did not. than fear. Yet the larger idea Dad carried into the world went It is alive in the instructors who learned directly from The horse would answer. Then it was our responsibility beyond horsemanship. him and now teach others. It is in students who return to listen again. He challenged an assumption about power. When an home and look at their horses differently. It is in the person From those concepts came Join-Up®, perhaps the best known expression of Dad’s work, and practical applica- animal is afraid or resistant, our instinct can be to apply who gives a frightened horse another moment rather than tions to starting young horses, loading trailers, overcoming more pressure. Dad asked us to consider another pos- increasing the pressure. It is in a veteran who discovers fear, solving behavioral problems, and helping horses and sibility: What if we listened first? What if understanding, something about trust through a horse, a young person communication, and trust could accomplish what force who discovers that communication does not require viohumans understand one another. lence, and every horseman or horsewoman willing to ask, But the technique was never supposed to become more could not? Over time, those concepts began changing human lives “What is this horse trying to tell me?” important than the horse. And it is here on the farm. Dad was an innovator because he continued to listen. If as well as horses’ lives. Through programs inspired by his Dad’s voice can still help a visitor notice an ear turn or a horse showed him something new, he wanted to under- work, horses became partners in helping veterans, first stand it. He could change his mind and refine an idea. responders, people affected by trauma, and young people a subtle shift in a herd. But increasingly I understand that Even after decades of experience, he never believed he had at risk. People discovered that lessons learned from horses he spent his lifetime teaching us to hear another voice, the finished learning. about trust, boundaries, communication, and the conse- horse’s. Perhaps that is the most important inheritance he left us. He often said, “An educated horse is a happier horse.” quences of our own behavior could follow them out of the Education, in his view, wasn’t about submission. A horse arena and into their lives. Not a formula to preserve unchanged. Not a series of steps that understands what is being asked has less reason for His work had begun with a determination to make life bearing his name. But a way of paying attention. A belief confusion and fear. The responsibility of the human is to better for horses, yet the kindness and courage behind that there is always more to learn. And a responsibility to communicate clearly enough that the horse has an oppor- that vision ultimately reached people he could never have put the horse first in the conversation. Dad spent his first lifetime listening to horses and teachimagined when he began. tunity to understand. Today, as I walk around the farm my parents established ing the rest of us how to hear them. His second lifetime That philosophy eventually traveled much farther than in 1966, I find myself thinking about how much this place belongs to all those who carry that conversation forward, the young boy observing horses could have envisioned. continuing to listen, learn and teach, while making room One of the most consequential people to recognize the has changed with what we have learned. It began as a state of the art Thoroughbred racing and for another generation to do the same. value of Dad’s work was Queen Elizabeth II. Her encourThe horses are still speaking. agement helped propel him from a California horseman training farm. Over the decades, we have continued to n May we never stop listening. with unconventional ideas onto an international stage. He rethink and retrofit that original facility to provide horses

Listen First, Then Ask

INDEPENDENT.COM SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT

ROBERT J. KROES 12/3/1935 - 8/10/2026

obert (Bob) died August-10th 2026 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Santa Barbara, California. Born in Racine Wisconsin on December 3rd 1935, son of Stephen and Ann Kroes, Bob attended Marquette University in Milwaukee where he received a degree in Engineering; more importantly, it was here that he met Katherine. They married in 1958. In 1960, with two small children and a job offer in the aerospace field, they moved to California. Within a few years Bob attended Santa Clara University and earned an MBA in Economics. By now the father of a growing family, he joined the University of California as an administrator. He held the position of Vice Chancellor at UCSB for several years before moving on to Antioch University where he taught Economics and Computing. Bob enjoyed travel and found ways to combine his love of other cultures with service to his community, his students and to his family.

18 THE INDEPENDENT

As a co-founder of Los Ninos de Los Americas, he spent many weekends working with disadvantaged children in the Mexican border communities of Tijuana and Tecate. While teaching at Antioch, he established a program for students to visit China and Europe. Closer to home, he was an active member of the work of Santa Barbara Catholic Charities for many years, serving as president of the board of directors for five years. He also shared the experience of travel with his grandchildren, introducing them to the world beyond the borders of Santa Barbara. In retirement, he and Katherine often spent time together with their daughter and son-in-law in England. They explored many locations in the UK, Europe and the Mediterranean area. Bob especially enjoyed family gatherings. Almost every Sunday, the family would come together for a shared meal. Holidays were always a festive occasion. In the summer, everyone

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 INDEPENDENT.COM

shared time together at Bass Lake. He is survived by his wife Katherine, their children Elizabeth, R. Christopher (Ann}, Lisa (Desmond}, Andrew, Mark, Kevin (Peggy), Amy (Scott), Michael (April); also their grandchildren Greg, Chloe, Michael, Nicole, Michelle, Maggie, Bradley, Eric, Jonny, Maxwell, Allison, Alejandra, Vivienne and great-grandson Soren. He is also survived by his brother Rev. Ralph, twin brother Roger and many nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like especially to thank the VNA Hospice Healthcare and, in particular, Nurse Laura. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Pueblo Del Rey Funeral services. In lieu of flowers, you may consider donations to Catholic Charities of Santa Barbara or VNA Hospice Healthcare. The funeral Mass will take place on September 17th at 11 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Mission. n

obituaries Marie Louise Helene Nolan Hattier 11/11/1934-08/16/2026

Marie Louise Helene Nolan Hattier, a longtime resident of Santa Barbara, passed away at her home on August 16, following a long illness. Her father, who had a knack for nicknames, called her "Woo," a name that remained with her for life. She was 91 years of age. She was born on Armistice Day, November 11, 1934, to parents James Teller Nolan and Marie Louise Grevemberg Nolan in New Orleans, where she grew up in the Garden District and later, in a rural area adjacent to the New Orleans Country Club. She was from an old family, as the Nolans and Grevembergs had inhabited parts of this country since the 17th century. Growing up, her interests were popular music and animals. She graduated from Fortier High School in 1953. At the age of 19, she married Harold Frederick Hattier, Jr., who was also from an old New Orleans family. Immediately after the wedding, Harold, who was actively serving in the U.S. Army, was deployed to Korea for nine months, then to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she joined him and started her married life. Despite the fact that Marie Louise was from an old New Orleans family, upon visiting Santa Barbara with her husband and son, Harold Frederick III, in 1956, it was love at first sight, and, after the birth of her daughter, Cathy Elizabeth, she and her family moved to Santa Barbara in 1957. She held several jobs over the years, including nurse, office manager, and arts and crafts teacher. Later in life, she became an avid swimmer and genealogist. She was a very social person and loved to chitchat on phone with friends. Marie Louise joined the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 1978, subsequently, becoming a life member. She served at the California State Society

To submit obituaries for publication, please call (805) 965-5205 or email obits@independent.com level as District VII Director, Treasurer, and Representative to the Santa Barbara Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic and was a life member of the State’s Cameo Club. She served at the local level in Santa Barbara as Regent of Mission Canyon Chapter, 1983-1985, and was made Honorary Chapter Regent in 2014. She served on their executive board for over 30 years, additionally, as 2nd Vice Regent, Treasurer, Chaplain, Registrar, Librarian, and Historian. She also had life memberships in several other lineage societies: The Daughters of the Cincinnati, Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America, the Order of the First Families of Maryland, serving as Treasurer General from 2003-2005, and the Order of the Merovingian Dynasty, She was a member of other lineage societies, including Colonial Dames of America, Chapter XX - Los Angeles and Chapter XXXVIII - Santa Barbara, charter member and serving as Chapter Proprietor; National Society of United States Daughters of 1812, Francis Scott Key Chapter and USS Constitution Chapter, charter member; United Daughters of the Confederacy, Phoebe Yates Pember Chapter #2532, charter member and serving as Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, 3rd Vice President, and 2nd Vice President; National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, Aquila Chase Chapter, Louisiana Colonials, National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, Santa Barbara Chapter, serving as Chapter Registrar and Historian; National Society Dames of the Court of Honor; National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars; Jamestowne Society; The Society of the Founders of the City of New Orleans; and Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars. She also was a member of Friends of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of California’s American Heritage Library and Museum, the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, and the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, aka "Rockwood." She was recognized as a longtime honoree in the pages of the Southwest Blue Book. Marie Louise is predeceased by her parents, James Teller Nolan and Marie Louise Grevemberg Nolan, her daughter, Cathy Elizabeth Tatman, and her sister, Patricia Nolan. She is survived by her husband

of 72 years, Harold Frederick Hattier, Jr, her son, Harold Frederick Hattier, III, (Dolores Rose Quiroz), granddaughter, Charlene Janne Hattier Komin, (Dan), grandson, Dustin Jon Hattier, and great-grandchildren, Dylan and Caleb Komin.

Deanna Alisa Vazquez

Lucy Vasquez

12/21/1945-08/25/2026 Forever Young Gone But Not Forgotten Mom and Dad

Edward P. Morin Jr. 01/15/1920-01/13/2012

and Georgina D. Morin 09/19/34 - 09/15/25 In Loving Memory Lucy Vasquez passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family and enveloped in love. Born on December 21, 1945, Lucy lived a life centered around faith, family, and the relationships she held most dear. Her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was a source of strength throughout her life, and her family finds comfort knowing she is now at rest in His presence. Lucy and her husband Ernesto shared 55 years of marriage and a love that began in childhood and endured even after his passing. Together, they raised their children, watched their family grow through generations, and created a life that brought Lucy her greatest happiness. Lucy was, in every sense of the word, the matriarch of her family. She loved deeply and found her greatest joy in simply being together - the conversations, laughter, celebrations, traditions, and everyday moments that became treasured memories. She cherished the incredibly close bonds she shared with her sisters and the lifelong friends who became an extension of family. Those relationships, built over decades of love, laughter, loyalty, and shared memories, meant the world to her. Lucy is survived by her children, Louise and Tony Salaiz, Larry Vasquez, Steven and Jerry Stanek, Albert and Lydia Vasquez, and Lucinda Vasquez, along with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There is no replacing the place Lucy held within her family. She leaves behind generations shaped by her love, a lifetime of memories, and a legacy that will live on.

In Loving memory of: Edward P. Morin, Jr. (1/15/20 - 1/13/12) and Georgina D. Morin (9/19/34 - 9/15/25). You are greatly missed.

Kathryn "Tata" Castagnola

07/31/1927-07/05/2026

Kathryn “Tata” Castagnola, 98, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on July 5, 2026. Kathryn was born on July 31, 1927, in Vancouver, Washington, to Harold and Eleanor McClellan. She was raised in Santa Barbara, where she attended parochial schools and developed the deep faith, warmth, and devotion to family that guided her throughout her life. In 1945, Kathryn married Mike Crowell. Together they welcomed three daughters: Christine, Rhonda, and Marsha. They later divorced in 1953. In 1955, Kathryn met and married Lawrence “Jackson” Castagnola. Their marriage brought two more children, Maureen and Timothy, and together they built a family filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories. Kathryn’s sparkling eyes were a window to her kind soul. Her gift for finding humor in

even the ordinary moments, along with the sound of her unmistakable laughter filling the house, ensured that no one ever left her home without a smile. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving, encouraging, and supportive grandmother who took great interest in their lives. She devoted much of her time to helping them pursue their education, reach their goals, and become the people they hoped to be. She taught by example the importance of kindness, forgiveness compassion and family. Kathryn was a devout Catholic whose faith was central to her life. She attended daily Mass and was a devoted parishioner of Old Mission Santa Barbara, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, volunteered in the parish office, and faithfully helped with fundraising events. She was also instrumental in encouraging and assisting several young men on their path to the priesthood. Kathryn later served as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, where she also attended prayer groups. In her later years, she became a member of San Roque Church. An avid reader, Kathryn especially enjoyed British mystery novels and was a devoted fan of Agatha Christie. Often finishing a book a week, she looked forward to her regular visits to the public library. Kathryn lived a remarkable 98 years and will be remembered for her quiet generosity, her service to her church and community, and her deep love for the people in her life. To all who were fortunate enough to know her, Kathryn brought comfort, joy, and a genuine sense of welcome. Kathryn is survived by her children: Christine Swanson, Rhonda Crowell, Marsha Holland, Maureen Castagnola and Timothy Castagnola; her grandchildren: Mark Swanson, Morgan, Daniel, Nico, Ellianna, Emma, Skyla, Coralie, and Cecily Castagnola; her great-grandchildren: Katy, Ryan, Greg, Kelly, and Paul Swanson, and Riley Zuzinec; along with many nieces, nephews and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, sister Mary Mora, and brothers Bob and Tom McClellan. A Funeral Mass will be held at San Roque Church Sept. 16 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception at Harry’s Plaza at 11:30. Family graveside services will be on Sept 17th at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monastery of Poor Clares. Continued on page 20

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obituaries Randolph (Randy) Barnard

02/06/1943-07/27/2026

Randolph “Randy” Barnard passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2026, at his home in Summerland, CA, at the age of 83. He was born to his parents, Jack and Conchita Barnard, on February 6, 1943 in Santa Monica, California. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Muffy “Margaret” Barnard; his daughter, Mary Whitney; his son, Tyler Whitney; and his granddaughters, Brooke and Morgan Whitney. Randy spent much of his time between his home in Summerland and his beloved avocado property, “Barnard Ranch,” in Carpinteria. At 6 '4”, he had an iconic look about him: tan skin, a perfectly groomed beard, a boyish grin and some would say the “sexiest man alive.” More than his looks, Randy was a true standup guy. He was kind, honest, and put everyone around him at ease with his easygoing humor and playful spirit. Randy was a simple man who loved what he loved. A foodie, he especially enjoyed Mexican food, best paired with a Coke at family dinners at Delgado’s or during family Taco Night. He loved being involved in his children’s lives, including coaching league baseball for both of them. He also had a fondness for the movies, cars, and music of the 1950s, including his favorite artist, Frank Sinatra. Watching sports was one of his favorite pastimes. A lifelong Dodgers fan, you could often find him listening to the game with the familiar sound of Vin Scully’s voice. He loved a little healthy competition, whether it was a tennis match, Thursday night poker, or a weekend trip to Vegas with family and close friends. More than anything, family and friendship meant the world to Randy, and he cherished reconnecting with old friends at high school reunions. An accomplished rancher and dedicated family man, his greatest devotion was to the love of his life, Muffy, and her happiness. Anyone who witnessed their relationship knew it was a love for the ages. He also had a special place in his heart for dogs, always 20

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To submit obituaries for publication, please call (805) 965-5205 or email obits@independent.com carrying treats in his pocket in case one crossed his path. His family takes comfort in knowing he is reunited with all the dogs he loved so dearly over his life: Bo, Mugs, Moose, Sunny and Lucy, to name a few. Randy was truly a one-of-akind man who meant so much to so many. He spent his final days surrounded by friends and family, enjoying the sunshine, his favorite meals, listening to his favorite music and reminiscing on a lifetime of memories with the people he loved. He will forever be missed. In Randy’s memory and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santa Barbara Humane Society.

Leonard (Monte) Blue 05/05/1933-08/18/2026

Patricia (Eaton) Rosales 01/09/1934-08/14/2026

Patricia Rosales (née Eaton) passed away peacefully on August 14th, 2026 in Santa Barbara. Pat was born on January 9th, 1934 in Stonington, Maine to Frederick Eaton, Jr. and Laura Eaton (neé Stinson). She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Armando Rosales, and her son, Richard, who passed away last year. She is survived by her children, Raymond, Robert, Rhonda, and Rochelle, her grandchildren, Mark, Ben, Zoë, Emily, and Adam, and her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Madison, Sage, and Evelyn, as well as her siblings, Cynthia and Reg. Pat moved to Santa Barbara as a small child and she lived here her entire life. While she had strong ties to her small-island Maine background, her heart and her home were firmly grounded in Santa Barbara. She was a voracious reader who enjoyed gardening and puzzles. Her favorite activity was spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren and great-children grow up. Pat was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be deeply missed and always remembered. A celebration of life will be planned in Santa Barbara later in the year when Pat’s remains will be scattered in the sea along with those of her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat’s name to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara (CFSB).

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Leonard “Monte” DeGroat Blue passed away peacefully at Serenity House on August 18 at age 93. He leaves behind his wife, Judy Blue; daughter, Kimberlee Blue (Matt Barsotti); son, Bradley; three granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and many longtime friends. He was predeceased by his youngest son, Kevin. Born May 5, 1933, in Los Angeles, Monte lost his mother, Edith DeGroat Blue, at a young age. His father, Leonard F. Blue, also known as Monte, remained part of his life, as did his Aunt Iris Bjork, his mother’s identical twin. His cousins, Rees and John Bjork, predeceased him. After high school, Monte joined the Army and served as a medic in Germany. He later attended Santa Monica City College, where he met Judy Betts, his wife of 68 years. Tennis brought them together and remained a shared passion throughout their marriage. Monte earned his bachelor’s degree from USC in Public Administration and Accounting. In 1964, he and Judy moved to Santa Barbara with their three young children. Monte worked for the County of Santa Barbara’s Data Processing Department for 27 years and received a Resolution of Commendation upon retirement. He treasured their Santa Barbara home where he and Judy spent many years entertaining family and friends on the backyard patio. Their beloved desert tortoise, Yertle, was part of the family for 60 years, with Monte serving as her devoted caretaker. He also loved the many Boston Terriers who shared their home over the years. Those who knew Monte remembered his wide smile, humor, loyalty, and genuine interest in others. He was a wonderful conversationalist, maintained friendships for decades, and carried a youthful

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curiosity throughout his life. He loved the outdoors and shared many camping and backpacking adventures with family and friends. He and Judy also spent many years catch-andrelease fly fishing in Montana. Monte loved classic cars and was especially proud of his Lotus Elan. Family remained central to Monte’s life. Last year, he had the special opportunity to meet his first cousin, Lloyd DeGroat, whom his daughter discovered through genetic testing. He dearly loved his granddaughters, Melanie (Christopher) Kohler, Teresa, and Alana, and was proud of his great-grandsons, Jacob (3) and Ryan (2) Kohler. A favorite family memory is Monte reading Dr. Seuss’s Yertle the Turtle to his children and later his granddaughters until the book wore out. A celebration of Monte’s life will be held in the near future.

Ross Douglas Adams 11/11/1943-08/22/2026

Ross Douglas Adams, beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at his Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara home of 56 years. In keeping with his wishes – and thanks to the tireless dedication of his loving wife, Mary, and his daughters, Amy and Katie – he was able to live out his days near the trees and gardens that served as the backdrop of countless family gatherings, first with his own children and later with his grandchildren Annie, Jack, Livi, Drew, and Will. Ross was born November 7, 1943, in Montreal to William and Frances Adams. The family moved to Ventura when Ross was four. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1961, serving as senior class vice president and a member of the school’s football and baseball teams. He played football his freshman year at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and earned a degree in English in 1966. That same year he married Mary Bury, a fellow student and graduate of UCSB, who would be by his side for six decades. Plans to attend graduate school were halted by the Vietnam War and Ross’s service in the Navy. After Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI,

he served two tours of duty in Vietnam aboard the USS Magoffin and the USS England. Ross served as a naval reservist for decades while working tirelessly to establish a career as a stockbroker. He persevered through challenging early days and a historically difficult market, to ultimately build a successful 50-year career in Santa Barbara with stints at several well-known firms, all of which were eager to have his services. His steadfast integrity, honesty, determination and hard work were reflected in his roster of long-time clients and the fact that he didn’t have a single complaint on his record over five decades. He retired in 2019. He loved Santa Barbara and gave back to the community through years of service on the boards of Hillside House and the La Vista Foundation for the Blind and Disabled. Ross “The Hoss” Adams was a mainstay on the Santa Barbara athletic circuit, participating in numerous triathlons and countless Nite Moves swims and Reef and Runs. He completed the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon and the Tour of the California Alps – Death Ride multiple times with close friends, who called him unique, loyal, and tough as nails. He was a fierce, gifted, and good-natured competitor and athlete. Despite humble beginnings, challenges, and several lifethreatening injuries incurred during his time as a competitive triathlete, Ross lived his life with undaunted optimism, joy, and positivity. He was never without a smile, a song, a good-natured ribbing, or a laugh at his own expense. He was full of knowledge and wisdom and was often the first person his daughters, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren would turn to for advice, help, or encouragement, which he offered freely and without ego. He was generous with his time, his resources, and his love. He appreciated a good vacation, but was equally happy at a daughter’s volleyball game, which he never missed, or taking a run through the neighborhood or on the beach. If family was there, Ross was allin, and he loved every minute of it. Ross Adams is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary; his daughters, Amy Bacon (Joel) and Katie Parks (A.P.); and his five grandchildren, Annie and Jack Bacon; Livi, Drew, and Will Parks. The family will hold a private celebration of life this fall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Cycling Without Age Santa Barbara or Hillside House Santa Barbara.

obituaries

To submit obituaries for publication, please call (805) 965-5205 or email obits@independent.com

Quentin J. "Sandy" Johnston 1944-2026

James Dimitre Andros 12/03/1927-08/05/2026 The Johnston family has a long history in Montecito. They owned and managed the San Ysidro Ranch circa 1886 until the the mid 1930's and built the Johnston Fruit Packing Company on their land. The Johnston Fruit company was known for citrus and other fruit cultivation and packing, contributing to the agricultural history of Montecito and the greater Santa Barbara area. Growing up nearby, Sandy played in the hills of Montecito as a child. He loved to share the story of being scolded by Madame Ganna Walska for getting into her fountains. He attended Cold Spring Elementary School. After graduating from Santa Barbara High School (once a Don, always a Don), Sandy attended Cal Poly, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and later moved to Denver, Colorado, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy Degree. As a lifelong member of the YMCA, Sandy quickly became the unofficial greeter and an immediate friend to many of the Y’s early risers. Always ready with his warm personality, sense of humor, and quick-witted “bad” puns, he made the morning greeting a tradition for many years that everyone enjoyed. Sandy loved to make people laugh and enjoyed playing with language, refusing to let many statements go unchallenged without adding in his wordplay, once saying he thought he was indecisive, but remarked, “I’m not sure about that.” Sandy was a friend to all and could converse with a diverse range of people, including college leaders, mathematicians, physicists, historians, folks delivering the weekly Independent, the young Y staff, and strangers. Sandy was always willing to help others, offer advice (especially in his professional capacity in child development), and discuss serious issues of contemporary policies and of socioeconomic significance. He was also a fan of popular culture and sports, remembering names and details of historical athletes at their greatest moments. In essence, Sandy was a kind, thoughtful, and cherished husband and friend, and will always remain in our hearts. The world is quieter without him and a lot less fun. Sandy will be buried next to his mother at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, overlooking the ocean he loved.

James Dimitre Andros - Jimmy died peacefully in his sleep at home on August 5, 2026, at 98. As he wished, his wife of 21 years, Laurie Brecheen Ballard, and his dogs Bandi and Loki were at his side. In his final months he was visited by family and by friends of all ages, many of them from Rancheros Visitadores (Vaquero Camp), Los Pobres, and the Santa Barbara Trail Riders. Born in El Centro, Jimmy grew up in Santa Barbara, attended Lincoln and Roosevelt Schools, and played football for Santa Barbara High School under Coach Clarence Schutte, graduating in 1947. He turned down a football scholarship up north for the flooring trade, working at Star Rug and Haywood Floor Covering before building Andros Floor Covering into Santa Barbara's largest and best. Into his 90s the city's top realtors still called him - no one else could solve a flooring problem in a vintage Montecito estate. He worked side by side with his crews his whole career and was proud of the young people he trained, many of whom started businesses of their own. Fascinated by real estate and known for his deep knowledge of Santa Barbara land, Jimmy was also a fine horseman and a tireless one, riding well past his 96th birthday. For five decades he helped build and defend the Montecito Trail Foundation system. With his partners and lifelong friends Joe Zebronskey and Dr. Glen Couvillin he worked to preserve Romero Canyon, and he purchased and helped transfer hundreds of acres important to the California Condor Sanctuary and at Gibraltar Dam - work that supported public trails, parkland, and the Los Padres National Forest. He met Laurie in September 2001 on the MTF fundraiser trail ride. The group broke into a gallop, his Stetson blew off, and Laurie raised on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and schooled in its etiquette - dismounted, picked it up, and handed it back. Later that day he bought her bronze, & Dance Without Music,& from the MTF

silent auction. They spent 21 years on horseback together: trail riding, the Ventura County Mounted Sheriff's Posse, therapeutic riding for veterans, polo, and outriding the Fiesta parade. Both loved animals and gave good homes to many - dogs, cats, house rabbits, and horses. Until his buckskin Nugget died in January 2025, the two were a fixture on the trails, often ending a two- or three-hour ride up Lillie Avenue, where a margarita would find its way into Jimmy's hand outside the Nugget Bar and Grill. He was preceded in death by his son Mark, killed in an accident at seven, and his daughter Chauncy, in 2015. With the help of MTF, Jim built a stone memorial bench for Mark at the summit of the Buena Vista trail. In 2025 he also lost Rudy Castillo, his best friend of 89 years, within weeks of losing Nugget. Jimmy is survived by Laurie; granddaughter Chauncy and grandson Shawn of Texas; greatgrandchildren Bryan, Logan, and Helen ;great-great-grandson Liam; stepdaughter Tia, daughter of the late Antoinette Foreman Andros; his sister Kathleen Helm; nieces Deborah, Cynthia, and Mary; and cousins Jerry and William Shalhoob. His extended family includes Laurie's sister and brother-in-law, Leigh Brecheen and John Dellaverson, and their sons Griffin and Hunter, whom Jimmy taught to drive a vintage tractor on Laurie's horse farm. He was true to his word, loyal to his friends, and never without a joke or a kind word. A celebration of life is planned for a date to be announced.

Kristina Beth Lash

05/08/1977-08/14/2026

Our beloved Kristy passed away on August 14, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She fought courageously against breast cancer with grit, determination, and her unmistakable sense of humor. Kristy carved her own path in life, working as an athletic trainer and physical therapy aide, then as a teacher at Bishop Garcia Diego High School before becoming a registered nurse at Cottage Hos-

pital. Her desire to care for others was a common thread throughout all of her work. Nursing was far more than Kristy’s profession; it was her calling. She brought intelligence, humor, and genuine compassion to every interaction. She cared not only for her patients but also for their families, forming meaningful connections during some of their most vulnerable moments. Her warmth, spunk, and natural ability to relate to others made people feel safe and cared for, acting as a beacon of light in their darkest moments. Kristy also found a second family among her fellow nurses. She deeply valued the friendships, teamwork, and sense of purpose they shared. Her colleagues knew her as someone they could trust; she was always ready to jump in and help. She had the unique ability to bring laughter to even the most demanding moments. The love Kristy shared with her colleagues and everyone at Cottage Hospital was a meaningful part of her life and a reflection of how completely she had found her professional home. From a young age, baseball held a special place in Kristy’s heart, particularly the Los Angeles Dodgers. Not only did she love watching baseball, she craved being part of the action on the field and spent many years as a Santa Barbara Foresters’ athletic trainer. Her connection to the Foresters remained deeply meaningful throughout her life, and she was honored recently by receiving a Hugs for Cubs Courage award at their annual Hall of Fame event. She was a devoted Dodger fan, watching every game and constantly texting her brother with play-by-play reactions. Carving pumpkins with the kids, sitting together around the fire pit, and enjoying celebratory dinners at The Palace restaurant were among her favorite things. She had special memories of Tuscany and of swimming with her niece and nephew on the north shore of Oahu—places and experiences she always thought she would enjoy again. But it was life’s simplest pleasures that she cherished most. Kristy elevated life’s simple moments by baking special treats. She baked elaborate birthday cakes for her niece and nephew, her “pride and joy,” personalizing each design and bringing their ideas to life. Her cookies were an important part of sporting events and parties, as well as treasured gifts for her colleagues. She also created beautiful charcuterie boards for simple family dinners and savory dishes for holiday gatherings. She delighted in creating something special for everyday moments and sharing it with the people she loved. Evan Clayton, Kristy’s boyfriend, was someone she truly loved. She cherished every moment with Evan. They supported each other in living honest and loving lives. He was the love

of her life, and he truly loved her, enveloping her in the warmth of his love until the very end. Kristy leaves a legacy of compassion, courage, laughter, and connection. She made her mark everywhere she went, and the joy she brought to others will live on in the countless stories, traditions, friendships, expressions of love, and memories she leaves behind. Kristy is survived by her loving parents, Jim and Linda Lash; her brother, Jeremy Lash; her sister-in-law and sister-at-heart, Amanda Scott; her boyfriend, Evan Clayton; and her niece and nephew, Juliette and Kieran Lash. She also leaves behind her beloved golden retriever, Tanner, along with many extended family members, friends, colleagues, former students, athletes, and patients whose lives she touched. A celebration of Kristy’s life will be held on October 11th at Lions Park in Carpinteria. Additional information about the celebration will be available on her CaringBridge page. In lieu of gifts and flowers, please donate to Hugs for Cubs, which is the Foresters cancersurvivor support program, and The Santa Barbara Breast Cancer Resource Center.

Geraldine Menzel Shalhoob

04/06/1939-08/20/2026

Geraldine Shalhoob died peacefully on August 20, 2026, at Atterdag Care Center in Solvang, California, at age 87. Born April 6, 1939, in Santa Barbara, and was a 1957 graduate of Santa Barbara High School. In 1970, Geraldine and her former husband, Bill Shalhoob (Janet Shalhoob), moved from Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez to raise their family. Geraldine is survived by her children, Kourey Cotton (Bill), Nick and Greg Shalhoob; her grandchildren, Louie, Sydney and Marco Shalhoob, Chance and Zain Keegan, Evin Tayefeh (Michael), Jordan Politis (Zohn), and Shannon Bailey (Nick), as well as four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Shami Keegan. An avid gardener, photographer, and traveler, Geraldine found joy in life’s simple pleasures and treasured her family above all. She also deeply loved and appreciated her dear friend, JC, who visited her regularly at Atterdag. We’d like to thank Atterdag Care Center for the exceptional care our Mom received for the past 3 years. A Celebration of Life will follow at a later date.

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COVER STORY

C OV E R S T O R Y

Garden Beds, Custom Tables, and Plenty of Reasons to Rethink Your Space

Pecos Pryor and James Hapke

by Tiana Molony & Indy Staff

INGRID BOSTROM

Falling for

A garden harvest

COURTESY

LÜM candles

ELAINE SANDERS

matter—you can understand why it was challenging to get into the fall spirit while putting this issue together. With temperatures still refusing to let up, it’s hard to believe fall is just around the corner. I caught a glimpse of it the other day when the clouds finally blocked the sun’s wrath and my deck was covered in droplets of water. But one step outside and my hopes were instantly crushed by a colossal wave of heat and 70 percent humidity. In a desperate attempt to set the mood, I lit the Montecito candle from LÜM, a candle company featured in this issue, whose scents can transport you to a foggy fall day at Butterfly Beach. Somewhat in a better mindset, I got to work—with the help of my wonderful colleagues, of course. The result is a collection of stories sure to get you in the fall mood. There’s a feature on boutique gardening service Goodland Gardens that inspired me—and will inspire all of you—to till the soil every once in a while. On the inspiration front, my story about interior designer Patrick Delanty, who designed the Indy’s new offices, will likely make you want to rearrange your furniture. Speaking of furniture, check out News Reporter Elaine Sanders’s feature on Sirie and Jay Keefrider of Keefrider Custom Furniture, the kick-ass woodworking couple who constructed an incredible ergonomic table. Another standout is photographer Ingrid Bostrom’s story on artist friends Pecos Pryor and James Hapke, whose octagonal pots are as interesting as they are useful. And, if you didn’t know, Habitat for Humanity is opening a storefront on State Street, ReStore, where you can buy and sell used home improvement items at a killer price point. No matter where you are, I hope this fall issue of Home & Garden gets you ready for cooler days—whenever they decide to arrive. n

SARA PRINCE

f you live in Santa Barbara County—or anywhere in the world, for that

Sirie and Jay Keefrider

Continued

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A Goodland Gardens harvest basket

Beyond the Garden Bed

Goodland Gardens Brings Edible Plants Into the Heart of Home Landscapes

Goodland Gardens’ founder Peter Berkey

by Tiana Molony hen Peter Berkey moved to Florida’s

Looking for something that sparked more passion, he panhandle in 2008, he was struck by ventured into commercial cannabis, where he learned what he saw as a “food desert.” The about propagation, cultivation, and more advanced techmain grocery option near his home niques, including brewing inoculated teas and foliar feedon Pensacola Beach was a Publix, and ing. The learning experience for him “was very hands-on,” he felt there was a real lack of fresh, high-quality produce. he said. “That’s how I learn the best — through doing.” So he started growing his own food. Eventually, he returned to his old job. Then lockdown The beach environment, he quickly discovered, wasn’t came, and he realized he had “hit [his] ceiling of opportuexactly fertile. The soil was essentially nity.” He felt personally stunted by sand. Berkey began driving around the lack of growth in his full-time neighborhoods, collecting bags of work, so he began looking for pasyard waste left on the curb and comsion again. “I was trying to find posting them himself to create a direction,” he said. “I was looking for growing medium. Out of that homeany opportunity that would present made soil, seeds began to thrive. itself.” He was shocked, and it led him to He enrolled in an online program with soil microbiologist Dr. Elaine want to do the same for other people in the area, though the idea never Ingham through the Soil Food Web, really panned out. where he learned more about soil About five years later, he moved health, microorganisms, and the back home to Santa Barbara and intricate web of life that creates a started a garden of his own. He grew thriving growing environment. beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, arugula, At the same time, concerns about and spinach. “Everything grows food scarcity and a desire to live here,” he said of Santa Barbara’s formore sustainably were pushing him giving climate. toward a new path: turning his pasAt the time, gardening was still a sion for growing into a business that Peter Berkey harvesting onions from the side interest. Berkey worked full-time could help others do the same. garden as a safety fleet coordinator for large He thought back to his childhood, corporations, including pharmaceutical companies, tele- growing up on Raintree Ranch in Goleta and finding joy in communications firms, and oil and gas companies. He spent being surrounded by livestock and agriculture. He decided 150-200 days a year on the road, living out of hotels and eating he “was just going to take the leap,” he said. So, he founded out. The job was easy and comfortable, but he increasingly Goodland Gardens, and six years later, he’s never looked felt unchallenged. back.

Today, the boutique gardening service focuses primarily on installing and maintaining edible gardens and orchards. The process typically begins with a consultation. Some clients already have established garden footprints that need revitalizing; others are starting from scratch. Rather than simply asking what clients like, Berkey often starts by asking what they don’t like. One of the most distinctive elements of Goodland Gardens is what Berkey calls a “decentralized food network.” The idea is simple: Many properties produce more than their owners can consume, whether it’s an avocado tree heavy with fruit, overflowing citrus, or a bumper crop of plums. Much of that abundance goes to waste. Goodland Gardens steps in to harvest and aggregate the excess, then redistributes it among its clients. A household with an avocado tree, for example, might receive oranges, apples, plums, or other fruits from another property. It’s a small, closed-loop system that adds variety without requiring anyone to have a giant farm. Berkey is also pushing beyond the traditional idea of a vegetable garden as a few raised beds tucked into a corner of the yard. He wants to expand beyond the lines of the garden bed and incorporate edibles into the overall landscape — what he calls “edible landscapes.” Rather than treating a garden as an afterthought placed in “the least optimal space,” he wants it to be central: beautiful, visible, and woven into daily life. As he puts it, a garden “is an ecosystem. It’s not just a plant that you’re putting in the ground. Everything supports everything else around it.” Goodland Gardens is looking for qualified individuals to join their growing team. For more information, see goodlandgardens.com.

Continued

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C OV E R S T O R Y

The Designer Behind the Independent's New Digs

From Celebrity Homes to the Paper’s New Offices, Patrick Delanty Has Built a Career Around Making Spaces Feel Like Home

Interior designer Patrick Delanty

by Tiana Molony | Photos by Ingrid Bostrom

Arts and Culture Editor Leslie Dinaberg in her office

Opinions Editor Jean Yamamura hard at work

Business Operations and Accounting Manager Erin Lynch at her desk

hile other kids were riding their bikes

and playing catch, interior designer Patrick Delanty was moving the furniture around in his room. “Totally not functionally by any means,” he confessed. He wasn’t following feng shui or trying to create some perfectly balanced space; he simply wanted a cool bedroom. “I just had a knack for it.” Sometime later, in the early ’90s, Delanty was living in Atlanta, Georgia, where one of his friends’ moms had just opened a boutique store. At the time, he was taking a continuing education course in interior design, which he said was both “remedial and ridiculous—it was me and these housewives.” He started working at the boutique, managing the store. Then, an opportunity arose to transfer to the design office and become a design assistant. He took the job. “I just kind of fell into it,” he said. The opportunity was there, the timing was great, and “I was really fortunate with how it all unfolded.” Ten years into the position, he found himself working on actress Halle Berry’s condo in New York City. Through the project, the pair quickly became friends, and Berry convinced Delanty that his time was up in Atlanta. L.A. was where it’s at. She was moving, too, and told him to throw all his stuff into her van. In L.A., Delanty opened his own design firm, Delanty Designs, in 2006. He would go on to work on many projects for Berry, including a custom trailer for her movie sets. He also worked for Ty Pennington, whom Delanty knew before he scored his leading role in HGTV’s Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition. He worked on the show and later produced design segments for Pennington on shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Rachel Ray Show, ABC’s Nightline, The Today Show, and Good Morning America. And, more recently, his best work yet (in my completely unbiased opinion): designing the Indy’s new office space at 223 East De la Guerra Street. “They’re going to need help,” he remembers thinking. So, in exchange for some ad space, Delanty offered his design expertise. He recalled the former Indy offices on State Street, which were cramped and much smaller than the new space. He wanted to not only transform the new workspace but also create an environment where employees actually wanted to work. Art is at the forefront of all his designs, and Delanty had loads to sift through: posters from Fiestas past, film festival

photographs, and collages of old covers. He hung them methodically. Plants were also “crucial,” he said, not only to the design but to employees’ well-being. He scattered a few throughout the office, bringing the outdoors in. He did little in the way of furniture, working with what he had and replacing things here and there. He recalled two wooden chairs with upholstered seats that “looked like they were from a law office in 1980.” They were so bad, he said, that he asked Independent Publisher Brandi Rivera if they could replace them with something that felt more like it belonged in someone’s home. He doesn’t believe an office needs office furniture. In addition to the common areas, Delanty helped design individual offices, including that of Indy Editor-in-Chief Marianne Partridge-Poett. He remembers watching Marianne move into her office and “piling” all her stuff in there. He told her to “go away and don’t come back” while he styled her space. He transformed her bookshelf, creating a design by mixing books with family photos and other accessories. After seeing what he could do, a few other Indy staffers asked for his help, and Delanty lent a hand hanging art and rearranging spaces for better flow. It took one staff member some time before asking for Delanty’s expertise. Delanty distinctly remembers Executive Editor Nick Welsh brushing off the need for any design in his space. “There were just piles of stuff everywhere,” he recalled. “Nick’s office was funny because he doesn’t really, and he’ll admit it, have much of a design aesthetic.” After a few months of working in squalor, Nick called Delanty up. “And he’s like, ‘I’ve seen what you could do,’ ” said Delanty, who got to work hanging art and organizing Nick’s space, making it a suitable place for a working human and proving that a little design really can go a long way, even for the Angry Poodle. Delanty is not done just yet. Design is an ongoing process, and he’s still got some unfinished business with the conference room. There, he envisions a gallery wall featuring some of the Indy covers from the Covering 40 Years exhibition at the Santa Barbara Library’s Faulkner Gallery, some of which he actually helped hang. For Delanty, the power of intentional design comes down to one thing: It’s less about what you have and more about what you do with it. “It’s not the provenance of an item that makes it,” he explained. “It’s how the designer puts it together and places n it in the room.”

Continued

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Jay Keefrider describes the difference in sizes of the first Iris table compared to the second. The star-shaped plywood on the wall are the prototypes of both the first and second versions of the Iris table.

Built to Last

At their Santa Barbara Workshop, Sirie and Jay Keefrider Combine Their Complementary Skills to Create Highly Customized Furniture

Sirie and Jay Keefrider in their workshop

Story and Photos by Elaine Sanders n Santa Barbara’s Eastside, a garage door is

open. Inside, a band saw whirs, filling the air with the smell of sawdust as two woodworkers, a husband and wife, are hard at work. Located on Reddick Street, Keefrider Custom Furniture studio is a space where clients can arrive with an idea and see that vision come to life. Sirie and Jay Keefrider are dedicated to creating completely custom pieces ranging from display cases to tables, made with sustainably sourced, premium materials. Using their complementary skill sets and their intense attention to detail, the couple has completed their most recent, and second iteration, of their extensively engineered, expandable, and round Iris table. “We really love working with clients who are really interested in getting something special, you know, something unique,” said Sirie. “That’s generally when people come to us.”

Sirie Keefrider with a practice carving for the feet of the couple’s Kraken Table

The couple has created furniture that could be considered sculpture, including a desk modeled after a guitar with real guitar string inlay, an epoxy side table that looks like a river with backlighting to reveal little diver and dolphin figures, and their Iris table modeled after a mechanism patented in 1835. Jay has been building for the past 25 years, completing a degree in furniture design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2000. He worked in construction during the building boom in Savannah, built film sets in Hollywood, and opened his workshop, Cotterpin Design Custom Furniture and Woodworking, with a friend in Los Angeles before moving the operation to Santa Barbara in 2014. Like many, UCSB drew the couple to Santa Barbara; after a PhD at Yale and research at UCLA, Sirie started a postdoc stem cell research program at the Neuroscience Research Institute. Always drawn to the arts—despite her art school dreams being stifled by her parents—and grappling with the beast that is academic research, she decided to put her brainpower toward creating beautiful physical objects full-time, rather than staring through a microscope or at a screen. “I started working more and more on projects in the shop with Jay, and then I just was finally like, ‘This is where I want to be,’ ” said Sirie. She discovered a talent for carving and inlay designs, which she uses to embellish the pieces that Jay builds. “I dabbled in carving, but I was never good at it,” said Jay. Sirie, on the other hand, “is great at it; her ability to take a 2D image and transform it, transfer it into 3D, is beyond my capability.” The couple committed to their shared passion in 2015, changing the workshop’s name from Cotterpin to Keefrider, cementing the professional partnership and blending their skill sets six days a week. With Jay’s breadth of experience and Sirie’s aesthetic talents, “we can confidently say that we can build almost anything that comes in the door,” said Sirie.

Building pieces to last is inherent to the Keefriders’ design principles. Jay recalled working on film sets where “the real heartbreaking part for me was you’d spend three days transforming a blank location into whatever it was they’re looking for, and on that fourth day you’d come in, and your job was to tear it down and to put it in a dumpster.” “Beautiful trees are taken down to produce the material that we use, and it’s important to us that we respect that and use it to the fullest,” said Sirie. She explained that they use strictly FSA-certified wood from sustainable sources, often working directly with farmers to ensure that their wood is produced ethically. Their most recent creation is a culmination of one-and-ahalf years of work. It is the second iteration of the Iris table, whose round top is separated into wedges that lift up, gently turn, and expand outward to create a table that starts at six feet in diameter and extends to eight feet. When in motion, “it almost sounds like a rain stick,” said Jay, with the optical-grade metal swing arms and 24 vertical bearings engineered to gently move the slabs of black walnut precisely into place. An art moving company was hired to package the table in pieces, with nine custom-built crates sent to the client’s Utah home filled with all the components of the moving masterpiece. The Keefriders flew out and assembled the piece themselves in the dining room, underneath a crystal deer-antler chandelier complementing Sirie’s aspen turn stag-head inlay on the tabletop. The couple is currently building a third Iris table for a client in Colorado, and continues to work on various one-of-a-kind pieces, including a nautical-themed writing desk, designed for their clients and built to last for generations. “It’s stressful because you’re almost always building something that you’ve never built before,” said Jay. “But it’s also really rewarding, and it keeps us interested in coming in every day.”

For more information, see keefridersb.com.

Continued

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Scent, with a Story

For LÜM Founder Kianna Adler, Candles Are a Way to Capture the Memories, Moods, and Landscapes of California’s Coastal Towns

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on a recent afternoon, I was immediately hit with LÜM’s two scents, Montecito and Ojai the unmistakable scent of orange blossoms and transported back in time to a childhood memory of my sister and not use paraffin wax; instead, she uses a blend me running through the orange groves on the of beeswax, coconut wax, and soy wax. ranch where we grew up. To perfect her first two fragrances, Adler An hour earlier, I had burned a candle spent ample time in each place. For her Monfrom small-batch candle company LÜM, sent tecito candle, which has top notes of jasmine, to me by founder Kianna Adler. The scent I lemon, and muguet; middle notes of heart burned was the Ojai candle, inspired by the bourbon and washed wood; and base notes town. With top notes of mandarin leaf of smoked woodland and tobacco leaf, and floral gardens; middle notes she frequently took walks along of heart ylang-ylang, gilded Channel Drive, often passing amber, and orange flower; the Four Seasons where and base notes of cashshe and her husband mere musk and modwere married. Eucaern woods, it brought lyptus naturally stood up memories I didn’t out, but she noted that even know I had. everywhere in MonteThat ability to cito “has a little bit of evoke a place through a different fragrance,” so she wanted to create a scent is at the heart of LÜM—along with Adler’s scent that captured them all. LÜM founder love of California’s coastal “To me,” she said, “[the canKianna Adler towns and the memories and feeldle] kind of smells like when the fog ings associated with them. is lifting.” It all started during the pandemic. Stuck Though she’s originally from Philadelphia, indoors, Adler was burning candles con- Adler grew up in Los Angeles and remembers stantly, leading her to question what exactly weekend trips to Santa Barbara, where she she was releasing into the air. She started turn- spent days on the wharf with her mom. Now ing labels around and looking more closely at living in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is her what was inside them. She didn’t love what and her family’s second home. They spend she found: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and at least one or two weekends a month here, going to the zoo with her son, walking the paraffin wax. That’s when the idea began to crystallize: beaches, and soaking up the slower pace. What if she created a candle that captured the I ask her about a possible Santa Barbara– comfort and ritual she loved, but with cleaner scented candle, which she says is certainly ingredients and a more intentional approach on the list. But, as with her debut candles, she doesn’t want to rush into it. Instead, she to fragrance? In February of this year, she officially wants to take her time walking around Santa launched LÜM with just two scents: Ojai and Barbara, taking in the sights and smells assoMontecito. Both fragrances are inspired by ciated with the city. California places that hold deep personal res“It kind of has to bring something to me,” onance. Rather than rushing to build a huge she said. “I don’t just want to be making fracollection, she wanted to start small, move grances in a vacuum.” slowly, and pour meaning into each candle. That intentionality extends to what goes LÜM candles are $48 each and are sold online at into the candles themselves. They have a lum-candles.myshopify.com or at The Livery in Ventura. 48-hour burn time and are paraben-free, Adler is working on expanding to locations in Santa sulfate-free, and phthalate-free. Adler does Barbara County.

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INGRID BOSTROM

A Pot with a Point

Pecos Pryor and James Hapke Put an Artistic Spin on the Humble Garden Vessel

by Ingrid Bostrom

or Pecos Pryor and James Hapke, home is together—and the garden is their newest venture, specifically in the form of pots for plants. These best friends met in a printmaking class at Westmont, went on to attend two different graduate schools in the Midwest, and maintained their bond and parallel artistic careers along the way. Both eventually found themselves in pivotal roles at art museums: Pryor as head of exhibitions at the Santa Barbara Museum of Contemporary Art, and Hapke as head preparator at UCSB’s Art, Design, and Architecture Museum. Their shared trajectories eventually led them to establish an art studio together in Carpinteria two and a half years ago. The studio is home to multidisciplinary practices including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and, most recently, an expanding body of ceramic work. But before you envision standard cylindrical pots, stop right there. Each vessel is shaped with eight sides like a stop sign or incorporates octagonal elements. The collection is branded as STOPPOTS, which also happens to be a deeply satisfying palindrome. One morning, Hapke was looking out the window of his home in Ventura when he saw a stop sign. “And I noticed, oh, it’s ‘pots’ backward,” he said. “And then I thought, ‘Oh, stoppots … like, is that enough of a concept or idea to make something out of?’ ” While anticipating the birth of his daughter, Hapke was also nurturing this artistic vision, holding onto it for a few months. “I love palindromes. I love the text of the stop sign. And so maybe three or four months later, I told Pecos. And Pecos said, ‘Yeah — let’s do it.’ ”

Pryor, who doesn’t self-identify as someone who acts quickly on an idea, knew this one was a green light. The two have not only shared similar artistic lineages, but have also collaborated on many joint works over the years. Their styles and practices are refreshingly complementary, and working together challenges and refines each of their perspectives. “Pecos’s pace is really different than my pace, which is cool,” said Hapke. “I have to slow down.” “And sometimes I gotta speed up, you know? It pushes me,” Pryor replied. “I am a little loose, a little more off the cuff,” Hapke said. “And Pecos is a little more precise. So, Pecos’s influence is really helpful because it’s nice to have a thing that looks finished and considered and cared for.” “And on the flip side, get some more energy and life from some of James’s spontaneity,” Pryor replied. From their studio and personal style to their work, there’s an effortless aesthetic to everything they do—cool without ever feeling contrived. Their work is playful yet layered, inviting curiosity. They recalled a moment when they were observing a weathered parking lot, weeds sprouting from cracks in the concrete, and found themselves drawn to the sensibility of that tension: the collision of human engineering and the natural world. “Someone paves over a field,” reflected Hapke, “and it busts through slowly.” After a year of generating ideas and products, their business is popping up too. It’s GO time for STOPPOTS on Sunday, September 6, 4-8 p.m., at 500 Maple Avenue in Carpinteria. They invite the community to “come get au naturale” at their studio sample sale and experience their “all-process approach to ceramics.” See @ssstoppotsss on Instagram.

Continued

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A male Andrena prunorum mining bee

Day of BEEing Join Krystle Hickman, 9/9: ANational Geographic explorer, conservation photographer, and author of the 2025 book The ABCs of California’s Native Bees, for a one-hour visual journey that demonstrates what it’s like to spend a whole day being in the field, how understanding the behaviors of bees can help you photograph and distinguish them for science, and how these pollinators contribute to functioning ecosystems and economies. 6-7pm. S.B. Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol. Free-$12. Email kperry@sbnature2.org. sbnature.org/calendar

9/9: Blue Whale Poetry Reading Series Christine Kravetz and Christopher Buckley will host this poetry reading that will feature award-winning author and poet Barbé Hammer and author and Poet Laureate emerita of Santa Barbara Perie Longo with a limited time for an open mic after. 5:30pm. Unity of S.B. Chapel, 227 E. Arrellaga St. Suggested donation: $5.

tinyurl.com/Poetry-Reading-Sep9

Book Talk and Signing: Ant9/9: Chaucer’s wone Fisher, Reflections Beneath the

Buckeye Trees: Notes from a Life New York Times best-selling author (Finding Fish) and screenwriter Antwone Fisher will talk about and sign copies of his 2026 book, Reflections Beneath the Buckeye Trees: Notes from a Life, a collection of personal stories and reflections drawn from a life marked by adversity, resilience, discovery, and gratitude that explores the people, places, and moments that helped shape the man he became. 6pm. Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St. Free. Call (805) 682-6787.

chaucersbooks.com/events

CO UR TE SY

MONDAY 9/7

sept.

CO U R

TESY

3-9

Labor Day This U.S. federal holiday celebrates on the first Monday of September to honor the everyday contributions of workers and recognizes how the labor movement built the country’s standard of living, fighting for the 40-hour work week and

1 MEMBERSHIP 2 GREAT LOCATIONS

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safe conditions. 9/6: Labor Day Weekend BBQ at Mattei’s You are invited to celebrate the end of summer at this communal family-style feast with good company and a cash bar. Required 48-hour advance signup. 5-7pm. Gin’s Courtyard at Mattei’s Tavern, 2350 Railway Ave., Los Olivos. Children ages 10 and younger: $45; GA: $95. Call (805) 695-4784.

COURTESY

tinyurl.com/Matteis-BBQ

Beginning Rooftop Daytime Disco with DJ Darla Bea Say goodbye to 9/7: summer this Labor Day with DJ Darla Bea, who will spin feel-good

disco, funky house, and nostalgic dance-floor favorites with sips for purchase. Noon-4pm. Kimpton Canary Hotel Rooftop, 31 W. Carrillo St. $20, $30. Ages 21+. Call (805) 884-0300. finchandforkrestaurant.com/events

TAI CHI

with Alonso Benavides, ph.d.

SEPTEMBER april 6 -28–DECEMBER june 26, 2020 18 Day and Evening Classes EVENING AND and Saturdays

some of the best riders from around the planet competing for cash and trophies in an officially approved World Cup of Skateboarding event. There will be food for purchase and music from The Dickies and Spider Baby. Proceeds will benefit the skatepark all year. Noon-8pm. The Orchid Skatepark, 301 La Casa Grande Cir. GA: $15; parking: $10. Email orchidskatepark@gmail.com. tinyurl.com/Orchid-Skatepark American labor movement and all the hardworking people who contribute to our community. Connect with fellow Democrats, local leaders, and union members as we address the challenges ahead. Come enjoy a taco bar courtesy of El Zarape and wines courtesy of Kunin Wines and Sunstone Winery. 1pm. Goleta Beach, Area A, 5986 Sandspit Rd., Goleta. $50. Call (805) 965-8030. tinyurl.com/Dem-Picnic

Speak Speak Spanish Spanish with A lonso B enavides , ph . d .

9/7: Tenth Annual Labor Day at the Orchid Skatepark Come see

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SEPTEMBER 12 & 13 Earl Warren Showgrounds

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ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPAN COMPANY’S Y’S STAR-STUDDED SEASON ON SALE NOW

COURTESY PHOTOS

L I F E by Leslie Dinaberg

t truly takes a village to put on a show, and the collective that Ensemble Theatre Company has put together for the 2026-27 season (number 48) is shaping up to be extraordinary. (Very) loosely themed around the exploration of California, “its dreams, its myths, its reckonings, and the people who live them,” the five shows include:

•

Buyer & Cellar (October 2026): Jonathan Tolins’s solo comedy set in Barbra Streisand’s private Malibu mall. A meditation on celebrity, consumerism, and the California dream at its most surreal. Rent (December 2026): Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning rock musical, celebrating its 30th anniversary. A tribute to the bohemian artist spirit that has shaped California communities for generations. The Last Used Car Lot in America (February 2027): A world-premiere musical by Joel Surnow and Sean Callery. A love letter to a vanishing American way of life, and to California’s enduring car culture. Doubt: A Parable (April 2027): Mimi Rogers stars in John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award– winning moral thriller. A reckoning that California is still living through. True West (June 2027): Sam Shepard’s explosive drama set in the San Gabriel Valley, where the desert meets the suburbs, and two brothers fight for the soul of the American West.

At last week’s annual season preview party, Executive Artistic Director Scott DeVine talked about the upcoming slate of shows with a number of very special guests including Mimi Rogers and Madison Lintz, co-stars in the long-running television series Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, who be teaming up to star in Doubt this spring. Director Beejan Land, who recently directed Rogers and Lintz in an all-female production of 12 Angry Men, was also in the house to talk about the show and his stars. “I had the awesome leap of faith from Mimi Rogers, who came on board to be in 12 Angry Men and roll around on the floor and be an elephant and do all the things that I ask her to do, and I can’t stress to you enough,” he said, turning to

ACTING OUT THEATRE

MURDER AT THE BARELY SCAREM CIRCUS COURTESY

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Madison Lintz

Rogers, “I mean this: You’re a true star. You really are, and you’re a true star in the work that you do in the rehearsal room and I feel so blessed and like a leap of faith, that you worked so hard…. And Madison, too, you knocked it out of the ballpark.” As to why Rogers — well-known for her roles in films such as Ridley Scott’s Someone to Watch Over Me, The Rapture, Austin Powers, and The Door in the Floor opposite Jeff Bridges — wanted to do Doubt in Santa Barbara, she said it’s one of her favorite plays. “It really is a perfect play. It’s so beautifully written and beautifully structured. … It’s a timeless piece of material because it applies as much to society today as it ever has.”

Brian McDonald

Mimi Rogers

The world premiere of The Last Used Car Lot in America is also particularly notable, with writer Joel Surnow (co-creator of the action series La Femme Nikita and 24) and composer Sean Callery (24, Jessica Jones, Elementary) as the creative forces behind this new musical. Surnow said he wrote the original script 50 years ago, and it eventually became the 2014 movie Small Time, about a young guy who decides to skip college to join his father in the used car business. Callery did the score, and it was his suggestion to make it into a musical. “Little did I know, here we are, like 10 years later, still going through the process. It’s incredible, and every time we think we’ve got it, there’s more,” said Surnow. It may be still a work in progress, but the live preview song we heard last week, which ends Act I — with Callery on piano and four talented cast members on vocals —was incredibly moving. I think they’ve got a hit on their hands, and Santa Barbara is very lucky to be the setting of the world premiere of such high caliber. Single tickets are now on sale, as well as subscriptions for the entire season, which opens on October 7 with Buyer & Cellar starring Brian McDonald reprising his award-winning performance as Alex, an out-of-work actor, who lands the strangest gig of his life: working in the private shopping mall that Barbra Streisand built in the basement of her Malibu estate.

See etcsb.org for details.

Jonathan Malindine in Murder at the Barely Scarem Circus

by Maggie Yates Writer/director Joan Robb Fradkin and producer/performer Nancy Gutfreund are bringing back Acting Out Theatre Group’s upscale dinner theater at Opal with a new mystery called Murder at the Barely Scarem Circus. Last year’s A Dark and Stormy Night Night, says Fradkin, was a “smashing success” that demanded an extended run. This year’s mystery, written by Fradkin, investigates a carnival crime scene. “It’s a ragtag circus,” says Gutfreund, who is making her return to acting in this production as an aging scarf dancer with a deep jealousy for a pretty, young trapeze artist.“I like to call it a dysfunctional circus,”she says.“It’s the worst-rated circus in the world on Yelp.” Many murder-mystery dinner theater experiences are interactive, and Murder at the Barely Scarem Circus is as well. The show includes a three-course meal of appetizer, entrée, dessert, and an alcoholic beverage. During pauses in dramatic action for dinner service, the audience gets a chance to put their heads together, discuss their suspicions about which character is the murderer, and unravel the mystery.“It’s community building,”says Fradkin, who points out that while people enjoy participating, not everyone wants to be put in the middle of the scene. “People want to sit back, relax, and enjoy an evening of good food and entertainment,” she says. “They get to participate without having to act.” The show currently has three scheduled performances at Opal restaurant downtown: October 14, 28, and November 4. Expect comedy, incompetent circus performers, and delusions of grandeur, along with murder most foul. To reserve your space at the Barely Scarem Circus Circus, email the company at actingoutheatregroup@gmail.com or give them a call at (413) 320-5258. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Santa Barbara ecological nonprofit Heal the Ocean.

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Kalani, a 4-time GRAMMY® winner, is a dynamic performer with a wide range of both songs and styles–from Hawaiian to Classical to R&B–that showcase his deep cultural roots and Hawaiian contemporary soul. Taimane, 2-time winner of Hawaii’s Favorite Entertainer of the Year, is best known for her inventive style of playing the ukulele, merging a wide array of genres—from Bach to rock, flamenco infernos to tribal hymns—while summoning a seemingly limitless palette of emotions. LOBERO THEATRE ENDOWMENT FOR AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC

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TRUMPET STAR TERELL STAFFORD BRINGS MILES DAVIS TO THE GRAND ON STATE ONE OF TODAY’S GREATEST JAZZ TRUMPETERS, TO BE JOINED BY PIANIST TAMIR HENDELMAN COURTESY

by Jim Buckley

he legendary jazz trumpet genius Miles Davis would have been 100 years old this year. Tributes to him have been playing around the country and on Wednesday, September 9, The Grand on State presents one of its own. Terell Stafford, one of the greatest of today’s jazz trumpeters, will be joined by pianist Tamir Hendelman as part of The Grand’s Visiting Artist Series. Based in New York City, Stafford has been among America’s top jazz performers for decades, leading his own quintet, recording several albums, playing on more than 100 others, and leading one of the nation’s top jazz education programs. The performance will be a highlight of The Grand’s early days as the jazz outpost in town. Stafford is also the director of jazz studies and chair of instrumental music at Temple University, and his students can be heard all over the jazz world. “They’re making names for themselves and really doing music at a high level,” he says proudly, noting that Temple alumni are in everything from the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra to the Count Basie Orchestra and the legendary Village Vanguard Orchestra, to which Stafford himself belongs (the Vanguard group played at my wedding some 34 years ago). Stafford is working hard to keep the music alive today, while making sure it continues in the future. He talked with me about his upcoming Miles Davis tribute show and what he is hoping local jazz fans will experience. Tell me a little bit about the impact Miles Davis had on your playing. When I switched [early in his career from classical] to jazz, there were a few trumpet players that I heard. Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown. Phenomenal trumpet players. But they were both a little bit over my head. And then I heard Miles Davis, and he actually played solos that I could sing. People say, “You should sing it before you play it,” that’s what Miles did for me. I was able to sing the [sound of the] solos before I played them because they were at a place that I could understand. Not to say that he was a simple soloist, but he played so melodically, and he used space in such a great way, that for a young improviser it provided a great path to learn how to improvise. So, I started to listen to Miles. I loved his style. I loved his sound. I loved that he had so much control over different colors, and he could get different, beautiful sounds on the Harmon mute, and the way he would articulate was really special. What are some of his memorable tunes that you might be including in your set in Santa Barbara? We can do “If I Were a Bell.” I love the old Milestones. I love the song he recorded, called “Dig,” with Sonny Rollins. “I Thought About You” he recorded, and so many great tunes that he did from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s. “Dear Old Stockholm,” there’s just so many. The hardest part is just trying to narrow down what we play each night because there’s so many great tunes to play. You’re playing in a duet with pianist Tamir Hendelman. What is it like performing with just a piano? I’ve done a lot with Tamir, and I love playing duo with him. There’s a few piano players that I really love playing duo with. I’ve played duos with artists like Kenny Barron, Bill Charlap, Bruce Barth, so it’s a format I really enjoy. And Tamir is one of the people I love

Terell Stafford

to play with. It doesn’t feel like a duo. It feels like we’re playing in a quartet—the harmonics, the rhythmic concept, the melodic concept, and the interaction and communication between us makes it very interesting and engaging. The Grand on State is a fairly intimate room, narrow but with the stage at the center. How does a smaller room impact how you play, as opposed to a larger concert setting? I prefer to play smaller rooms. And the beautiful thing about Miles is that his color palette and his palette of dynamics were huge. So, it doesn’t have to be super loud or super powerful. We can play [songs] that can be super intimate but yet still have excitement. Even if you’re playing as a duo, you can be passionate and emotional, and you can have some fire behind it. You’re a longtime jazz educator. What do you see as the state of music and jazz education today? We have great programs here at UCSB and SBCC, and a lot of young people have been coming to The Grand. Everything that I’ve been through in my life as a musician, I want my students to have the opportunity to do it. I just don’t want to tell them stories and say, you know, “Back in the day, this is how it was.” I want them to experience exactly what I went through. So, we just got back from a 10-day tour of Europe with the Temple University big band. And in March, we went to Japan for eight days. Touring is so powerful because you go out on the road with someone, you

learn a set of music, you get to know everybody in the band so much better, and then usually you come off the road and you record and, and that’s how it was back, you know, in the ’90s and early 2000s when I was younger. So, I wanted the students to experience that. After Rome, France, and other places, we recorded in Spain. I love to teach, I love to share, I love to expose, and I think that’s all really important in education these days. What do you hope that Santa Barbara listeners take away from the Miles Davis show that you’re going to present with Tamir? I hope they take away the different facets of Miles. You know, Miles was a very mysterious guy and had a reputation of turning his back [on the audience]. But I think if you put all that aside and just close your eyes and listen to his music, you hear this passionate person that’s just trying to share their heart, and that’s what I hope that we can convey to the audience in Santa Barbara. It’s about being vulnerable, and that’s what every musician’s goal is, to be vulnerable in front of an audience and share their heart at the deepest level. And hopefully the audience can receive that and reciprocate it back to us, and then that’s how the magic happens. Terell Stafford will be at The Grand on State (1218 State St.) on Wednesday, September 9. Doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner; music starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at thegrandonstate.com.

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MARÍA BERMÚDEZ PRESENTS CONVIVENCIAS, A SPECTACULAR EVENING OF FLAMENCO UNDER THE STARS

by Jatila van der Veen

onvivencia refers to the Spanish ideal of coexistence and community, living together in harmony. According to some accounts, the Convivencia historically refers to the period of peaceful coexistence between Muslims, Christians, and Jews for more than seven centuries in the Iberian Peninsula, from the 8th century until 1492. Convivencias celebrates flamenco as a universal language, expressed through cante (song), compás (rhythm), and baile (dance). Who better to orchestrate such a gathering than our own legendary Maestra María (“La Chacha”) Bermúdez, Artistic Director of Flamenco! Santa Barbara? Bermúdez moved from Los Angeles to Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, more than three decades ago to imbibe the culture, music, and dance of the Gitano community. They are the originators of the deepest, most authentic flamenco. Through her experiences, she has become one of the leading exponents of authentic Jerez-style flamenco, and was designated Flamenco Ambassador by the city of Jerez in 2022. Through the many community programs Bermúdez organizes in Santa Barbara with renowned flamenco dancer and teacher Timo Nuñez (peñas flamencas, íntimos, and large programs during Fiesta), she brings Jerez to life in our community. Convivencias is going to be a confluence of spectacular artists that she has performed with for more than 30 years in Jerez, and musicians and dancers from this side of the Atlantic, in the outdoor plaza of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum on September 10. Featured musicians include members of famous Gitano families from Spain: renowned singers Carmen Grilo from Jerez and Ismael Fernández from the famous Familia Fernández of Sevilla; Manu Parrilla Hernandez (guitar), Juan Parrilla (flute), and Bernardo Parrilla (violin) from the legendary Parilla family of Jerez; as well our Grammy-nominated local celebrities Andrés Vadín (guitar) and Diego Álvarez (percussion), who are featured at Fiesta and many performances throughout the year. Featured dancers will be Santa Barbara’s own María Bermúdez and Timo Nuñez, with Madrid-born Nino de los Reyes. De los Reyes is the first bailaor (flamenco dancer) to be recognized with a Latin-Grammy award, and is also an Associate Professor of Dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. They will be joined by rising star dancers Talia Vestal, Sabrina Ibarra, and Ysabella Yturralde, all of whom got their start with Linda Vega, Bermúdez, and Nuñez. In the more than 30 years that Bermúdez lived in Jerez, she found a place where flamenco rhythm is in

COURTESY

LEGENDARY ARTISTS FROM SPAIN JOIN S.B. DANCE AND MUSIC LEGENDS AT THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM

LOCAL

HEROES WANTED

NOMINATE NOW

María Bermúdez

the air, making it different from other, larger cities in Spain, such as Sevilla and Madrid, where there are formal dance academies. She said that in Jerez, “you learn it one day at a time, by loving it; it cannot be written down, but has to be lived. Cante [song] is the base of flamenco, which is pain, manifest through the voice and heart” (Streets of Flamenco). Bermúdez endured firsthand the pain of being a foreigner in Jerez de la Frontera, the birthplace of flamenco, until, through her dancing, she was accepted into true convivencia by the prominent flamenco families there. She chronicles her journey from the barrios of L.A., to struggling student-dancer in Jerez de la Frontera, to world-renowned flamenco artist in her award-winning documentary Streets of Flamenco. Bermúdez also met her soulmate in Jerez, the Latin Grammy–nominated musician Pelé de los Reyes, from one of the prominent Gitano families of Jerez. “When María arrived here, the truth spoke for itself,” he said in the documentary. “If you say, ‘I’m American,’ they look at you in another way. But if you say nothing, then your dance speaks for you. And [when they saw her dance] they said, ‘This girl’s from Jerez.’ ” Convivencias at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum is an opportunity for everyone to gather and enjoy world-class artists from the U.S. and Spain who are at the top of their fields, performing traditional flamenco as well as pushing the boundaries into the contemporary scene. Convivencias is the next best opportunity, apart from going to Jerez, to soak up the authentic base of flamenco, here in Santa Barbara.

Please nominate a person who makes our community a better place to live and whose good works and deeds may otherwise go unsung.

SUBMIT AT:

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OR SCAN:

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

September 25, 2026

The event is on Thursday, September 10, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at bit.ly/4xXWxp0.

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Struggling with Nerve Pain? Relief May Be Possible! There is a facility right here in Santa Barbara that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects. (see the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article) In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined:

Figure 1: Notice the very small blood vessels surrounding each nerve.

· What’s the underlying cause? · How Much Nerve Damage Has Been Sustained · How much treatment will your condition require

Figure 2: When these very small blood vessels become diseased they begin to shrivel up and the nerves begin to degenerate.

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which will cause the nerves to begin to slowly degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow. As

The treatment that is provided at First Step Regenerative has three main goals: 1. Increase blood flow 2. Stimulate small fiber nerves 3. Decrease brain-based pain

you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not receive the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die” they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms.

Free Consultation! Call 805-450-2891 to make an appointment with our team. (Offer Ends September 30th, 2026)

Figure 3: The blood vessels will grow back around the nerves much like a plant’s roots grow when watered.

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.

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We can objectively measure the severity of deficit in both small and large nerve fibers prior to start of care. NP Charles Sciutto Lac at First Step Regenerative, will do a neuropathy severity consultation to review peripheral neuropathy history, symptoms and discuss plan of treatment. This consultation will be free of charge and will help determine if our therapy protocol may be a good fit for your needs. First Step Regenerative will be offering this neuropathy severity consultation free of charge from now until September 30, 2026.

Over 65 Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Commercial PPO insurances accepted.

First Step Regenerative

216 W. Pueblo St. #A. Santa Barbara 93105 Our officetreatment programis coveredbyMedicare or otherinsurancecoverage. It will be determined as free of charge, have co-payment, or not be covered prior to start of care.

THIS WEEK IN ATHLETICS

WO M E N ’ S VO L L E Y B A L L VS I O WA STAT E : S C H E D U L E P O ST E R G I V E AWAY THURS | SEPT 3 | 6 PM | THE THUNDERDOME WO M E N ’ S S O C C E R VS N O RT H DA KOTA : S C H E D U L E P O ST E R G I V E AWAY T H U R S | S E P T 3 | 7 P M | H A R D E R STA D I U M FAMILY-TO-FAMILY education program Free classes in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria!

Join This FREE Course! Santa Barbara: On 8 Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Starts on September 23rd Santa Maria: On 8 Thursdays, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Starts on September 24th

Family-to-Family is a FREE 8-session education program for family members of adults living with a mental health disorder—to help them understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own wellbeing.

NAMI is the largest mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for those affected by mental health disorders.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY:

THE INDEPENDENT

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

@ G O G AU C H O S

@ U C S B AT H L E T I C S

Calling the Family Advocate: 805-325-5580 Visiting namisantabarbara.org, or Scanning the QR code

WO M E N ’ S VO L L E Y B A L L VS U TA H STAT E : S C H E D U L E P O ST E R G I V E AWAY SAT | S E P T 5 | 6 P M | T H E T H U N D E R D O M E

U C S B G AU C H O S .C O M M T I C K E T S INDEPENDENT.COM

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sla Vista is mainly the domain of college students. But clusters of families, concentrated on I.V.’s quieter west side, live in its apartments, keep plots in its community garden, and send their children to its elementary school. Children’s Park is one of their main gathering places, said Isla Vista Recreation and Park District (IVRPD) General Manager and materials costs have shot through the roof,” Kimberly Kiefer. It’s also home to the district’s long- said Assistant General Manager Luis Valerio. “So, running after-school program. we’re trying to figure out how to “This is the heart of where we’re fill the gap.” serving most of our families of The district has about 10 Isla Vista, [who] have been here months to find $1 million. Santa for generations,” she said. Barbara County has put $250,000 With about $4.2 million from toward the project, and the disa California State Parks grant, by Christina McDermott trict is now looking for other IVRPD intends a full renovadonors and contributors to help. tion of the property, including new playgrounds, Because IVRPD is working with the nonprofit Vena classroom, a kitchen space, and barbeque pits. tura Community Partners Foundation as its fiscal But inflation and rising construction costs means sponsor, all donations (which are tax-deductible) that grant money, awarded in 2021, no longer cov- will go directly to park renovations. ers all the plans. “From the time we were awarded [the grant] to where we are now, construction costs Learn more at ivparks.org.

Inflation Creates Big Funding Gap

ATHLETES of the

WEEK

BY VICTOR BRYANT

ach week, the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table recognizes local student-athletes whose standout performances helped lift their teams and showcase the region’s sporting talent.

Karina Urzua

Bishop Diego High School COURTESY PHOTOS

Children’s Park Needs $1 Million

COURTESY ISLA VISTA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT

Isla Vista

Sports

Klentner Ranch S Wins Pacific Coast Open Secures 16-9 Victory over Defending Champion La Karina ELAINE SANDERS

by Elaine Sanders

This was Klentner Ranch’s fourth Pacific Coast Open title.

unday afternoon marked the final match of the 2026 Pacific Coast Open tournament, described as the “crown jewel” of West Coast polo, with Klentner Ranch (Jake Klentner, Ignacio “Nachi” Viana, Jesse Bray, and Justin Klentner) besting defending champions La Karina (Brian Boyd, Carlos “Carlitos” Gracida Jr., Felipe “Pipe” Vercellino, and Lucas Escobar) at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. Bray could not be caught with his long shots, arcing the ball from one end of the 300-meter field to the other. Gracida was masterful during throw-ins and, when the play would bunch up, reversed the direction more than once with backhand shots. With only a minute left in the sixth and final chukker, Escobar made a lastditch effort to score a goal for La Karina, despite being down by seven points. He struck the ball with his mallet so hard that it came flying through the grandstand and onto the terrace, sending women screaming and glass shattering. The final score was 16 to 9, the highest number of goals of any match in this year’s tournament. n

The junior racked up 25 kills, 23 digs, and four aces in a 3-2 win over Laguna Blanca; 14 kills, 10 digs, and five aces in a 3-0 win over Villanova Prep; and 83 kills, 89 digs, and seven aces in six matches at the Del Sol Invitational. Bishop Diego took second place in the tournament.

Chase Johnson Dos Pueblos High School

Dos Pueblos running back Chase Johnson finished with 25 carries, 175 rushing yards, and four touchdowns in a 42-28 win over Buena of Ventura. n INDEPENDENT.COM SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT

COU RTE SY PHO TOS

Indy Origins

DJ Palladino Zac Palladino

The Long and the Short of It I

n the yore days of 1990, I was making my way back to this newspaper after a 10-year writing hiatus, and it felt suddenly good again. I was writing some short art features and music reviews when Arts Editor Bob Blaisdell asked if I wanted to review movies for kids. Indeed I did.

Seven Years of Father-Son Movie Reviewing

10 th Annual

Heart of New House Luncheon Saturday, September 19, 2026 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

This year’s honorees: TOM AND MONICA CURRY Heart of New House Award

NEW HOUSE

Santa Barbara Men’s Sober Living Since 1955

JOSEPH GARCIA

Hero of New House Award

New House is dedicated to providing a clean, sober, and healthy environment that allows men with alcohol and other drug problems to begin their journey of recovery and reclaim their dignity, self-esteem, and sense of purpose. Proceeds from this event directly fund scholarships, ensuring that no person seeking to change their life is turned away due to lack of funds.

Visit sbnewhouse.org for tickets and more information 48

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

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by DJ Palladino My son Zachary was 4 years old, and we already went to everything anyway. Now we could get in free. Besides, I found my son’s company routinely inspiring: His creative renaming of things like the Oscar Meyer wiener as “hog dog” kept me braced for constant revelations. More time with him? Check. Meanwhile, I had just read a Spy Magazine column called “How to Be a Grown Up,” in which the writer (also Weiner, Ellis that is) turned his toddler’s utterances like “more milk” into astute proclamations on such topics as Reverend Jesse Jackson’s poverty solutions. Suddenly parenting seemed more like a job opportunity than a way of life. So, I proposed joint authorship reviews to Blaisdell. He hesitated at first and then gushed approval once he read a story we wrote about Kevin Costner’s deliriously bad Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and the fit Zac pitched after watching it. Spoiler alert: Our collab turned out very well. Magnificent, I think, and some of that, no doubt, was due to the sudden flourishing of kiddie cinema from

Hollywood. There were culty films like Mom and Dad Save the World, Monkey Trouble, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and honest bell-ringers like Lion King and Nightmare Before Christmas. Our only memorable argument in seven years occurred when editor Michael Smith assigned us to The Little Princess. Zac vehemently kicked against the goad, refusing to get caught attending a junior chick flick. Arguing with him about duty and consciousness-widening helped break his reluctance and, as you may know, the film by Alfonso Cuarón was both gorgeous and explosively surprising at every turn. “Well?” I queried as we shuffled from the Fiesta Theatre. “Okay,” he muttered, shaking his wee head in shock. “It was great.” Be that as it may, I really had no idea how this might all work out. Anxiously querying him after our first film, Shipwrecked — Disney’s recycling of a Norwegian tale starring Gabriel Byrne — I was proud when he alluded to a classic critical tenet, complaining that they showed a sword in an early scene but then failed to use it later. Still, I wondered, what did he think overall? “At first it was too long,” said my preschool genius, “and then it was too short.” Stellar birth observed. Zac is 40 now. His accomplishments include managing a small Philadelphia theater, directing TV animation from PBS to Adult Swim, and guiding young people through after-school Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. We still talk about movies constantly, and his opinions hold great influence over me. He lives a hundred miles away, and the time apart sometimes seems way too long but our time together is always too short. n

Wildlife

The Thundering Hooves of the Tule Elk

A sizeable tule elk herd on the rolling foothills of the Caliente Mountains

could feel the soft alkali loam tremble beneath my feet, as roughly 300 tule elk rumbled out of the rolling foothills of the Caliente Mountains and across the sweeping expanse of the Carrizo Plain National Monument. A pack of coyotes yelped near the western fringe of the massive herd, forcing the cows to keep their calves within the protective middle of these majestic grassland browsers. They kicked up a large plume of dust as they continued moving eastward into the center of the 250,000-acre plain. The haze from the dust wafted skyward, concealing the herd huddling in dense thickets of saltbush near a series of salt-encrusted vernal pools, part of the diverse grassland ecosystem.

Population Appears to Be Growing After 2025 Fires Story and Photos by Chuck Graham The tule elk had bounded through the burn area scorched by the Madre Fire in July 2025. That fire blackened 80,786 acres, including large swaths of the Carrizo Plain all the way to Soda Lake Road, the main route through the National Monument. That blaze was quickly followed by another larger fire in August. The Gifford Fire broke out on August 1, 2025, and the fast-moving fire torched 131,000 acres of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Beaver Moon It was difficult watching the fires burn portions of the Caliente Mountains and the semi-arid grasslands below. Visibility was poor, and the air quality was even worse. Initially, it looked bleak across the Carrizo Plain. Wildlife across the unique grassland environment is some of the rarest and most endangered in California, and I didn’t see much of anything following those wildfires. The jet-black burn scar was a constant reminder for several months. However, there was some uplifting news while the habitat slowly recovered. Last November 2025, I was photographing the brilliantly bright Beaver Moon rising above the seemingly barren Temblor Range and salt-encrusted

layer of Soda Lake. Suddenly, a white truck zoomed past me on Soda Lake Road, but it quickly came to a halt. The driver slowly backed up. It was Brandon Swanson, a wildlife biologist for California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). He was on his way to catch a helicopter. Swanson, along with others, were in the middle of performing wildlife surveys over the burn areas. According to Swanson, things were looking up for tule elk herds across the sweeping veld. One of the silver linings after a major blaze is clear, open space. Several months following the Madre and Gifford Fires biologists were getting a good read on tule elk numbers across the rugged landscape. Before the fires, it was thought that the tule elk population stood at around 550 animals in the Carrizo Plain and surrounding areas such as the Chimeneas Ranch and La Panza Range. Following six helicopter surveys hovering over a massive black burn scar, the total number of tule elk has potentially tripled. “Consensus is that the tule elk herd is steadily growing,” said Swanson. “Tule elk are really one of the best conservation stories out there, and we are lucky to have so much success in bringing them back from the edge of extinction.”

Grassland Natives Tule elk are California’s only native species of elk. They once numbered more than 500,000 individuals spread across the entire state, but by 1870 that number had plummeted due to overhunting, habitat loss and disease. They were thought to be completely extinct, but in 1874 anywhere between two to 10 tule elk were discovered on a Bakersfield ranch. From that meager number, the tule elk population has gradually rebounded, and their numbers continue to climb. Over the decades, there have been many attempts to translocate tule elk and reestablish herds throughout the state. By 1986, 22 populations had been returned to historic territories, numbering 2,000 elk. Some of those include regions of the Western and Eastern Sierra, Point Reyes National Seashore, Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Wind Wolves Preserve, Fort Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, and the Pozo-LaPanza herd that extends eastward to the Carrizo Plain. Forty years since, that number has doubled, with the herds in and around the Carrizo Plain

becoming one of the fastest growing in all of California. “Our minimum count for the monument was around 550,” continued Swanson, referring to the region in and around the Carrizo Plain National Monument. “Now, following the fires, it’s about 1,200 altogether including North Carrizo, Temblors and South Chimineas. There is plenty of room for the population to grow. Water is the biggest limiting factor for habitat utilization.”

After the Blaze

A small band of tule elk on the Carrizo Plain with the Madre Fire burn scar in the background

Both fires burned large portions of the Caliente and La Panza Mountains where overgrown vegetation hadn’t burned for decades. The rugged topography coupled with strong winds made it difficult to contain each fire. Still, a silver lining lay within the burn scar. “The fires seem to have had no negative effect on the elk population and may have been a positive by encouraging new growth,” he explained. “Elk were seen utilizing the burn scar frequently.” Another way to enhance their habitat has been the recent removal of unnecessary fencing, ranchland relics that can be found throughout the Carrizo Plain. Barbed wire has negative impacts on grassland species, so a lot of that fencing has been removed. Where fencing is still needed, barbed wire has been replaced with exclusively wildlife-friendly wiring that is smooth, top and bottom, to allow safe passage, mainly for pronghorn antelope and tule elk. n

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RON WHITE OCTOBER 2 / $69+

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JUMPING JACK FLASH OCTOBER 16 / $25

ANYTHING FOR SALINA’S NOVEMBER 6 / $20+

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

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NOV. 8, 2026

One Slice at a Time Jumale, the duo behind Milio’s Pizza, on a recent Wednesday morning, they were both in the car. “Sorry,” Jumale said, his voice muffled, “we’re running errands.” They were picking up drinks, they said, and other supplies to restock the shop. I suggested that maybe we reschedule; we could talk when they weren’t so busy.

At Milio’s Pizza, Miles Robbins and Kamil Jumale Are Betting That Santa Barbara Is Ready for a True New York–Style Slice Shop “Honestly,” Jumale sighed, “if I don’t give you the time now — today is crazy.” At the time of our conversation, the pair had opened their by-the-slice pizza shop less than a week earlier. They expected to be busy, yes, but not this busy. They gave me a rundown of the past few days: On opening day, Friday, August 14, they started at noon and sold out at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, they opened at the same time and sold out at 6:30 p.m. Both days, they were supposed to be open until 11 p.m. On Sunday, they lasted until 6:30 p.m. On Monday, they regrouped. Finally, on Tuesday, they were able to go until about 8 p.m. They told me they weren’t sure how much dough to prepare for the coming week. How many pies did they need versus slices? What time were people usually coming in? Kids were going back to school; summer was coming to an end. Maybe the chaos would die down. “This is some of the best times of the year for restaurants to have good revenue,” reflected Robbins. “So, it’s sort of like being thrown right into the ocean.” They were overwhelmed, yes, but it was a good kind of overwhelmed. After every mention of stress, they were quick to remind me, and themselves, that these were “great” problems to have. After all, they had spent years dreaming of opening a brick-and-mortar together. They weren’t about to complain now that it was finally happening. The pair met in London in 2019, when Jumale was managing the front of house at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and Robbins had come from Los Angeles to do an apprenticeship there and deepen his knowledge of food and cooking techniques. They bonded over a shared passion for food and stayed in touch after Robbins returned to L.A. That connection eventually led Jumale to visit California, fall in love with it, and move there in 2020, joining Robbins in building their catering company, 444. Santa Barbara came onto their radar around 2023, when they started noticing that their catering clients had summer homes in the area. At the time, they had

FOOD & DRINK

by Tiana Molony

wanted to open a restaurant in Los Angeles, but after looking at a few spots, they just couldn’t find the right one. So, they moved to Santa Barbara. At Godmothers Books in Summerland, they opened Godmothers Graze, turning the bookstore’s back area into a café that complemented the talks and events — serving things such as lox bagels, pastrami and eggs, and their popular smoked turkey muffuletta and braised beef sandwich. “We found it a great place to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond,” said Jumale of Santa Barbara. That café became well known, which both gave them experience running food operations locally and helped build their reputation, so that, when Milio’s opened, many customers already recognized them from Godmothers. Still, they had dreams of opening a place of their own. They found the perfect spot the year before, but at the time, they weren’t sure what type of food they’d serve. They considered a smashburger spot. Then they shifted to a hot chicken shop, but both felt like crowded categories that didn’t offer much room to stand out. As they looked more closely at the city, they discovered a hole in Santa Barbara’s culinary scene: a true New York–style slice shop — somewhere casual and quick, where people could grab a slice the way they might grab a coffee, as part of Miles Robbins and Kamil Jumale in front of their newly opened Milio’s Pizza their daily routine. Recognizing that gap, they decided to lean fully into the slice shop concept, imagining a place that could Anthony Falco, who took them to some of the best pizza serve great everyday pizza with really high-quality ingre- spots in New York City. There, they not only learned dients and, if executed well, become a staple not just in about flavor and how to perfect the dough, but also soaked in the culture. Santa Barbara but hopefully across the West Coast. The menu includes classics such as cheese and pepperThey signed their lease in March and got to work. A month later, they met with chef and pizza consultant oni, alongside specialties such as the Spicy Vodka Square and The Milio. Pizzas are available as whole rounds or Sicilian-style squares, with gluten-free options. Soft serve rounded things out, with a mix of seasonal and classic flavors. Ingredients — and where they come from — are just as important to them as the pizza itself. They import water from upstate New York because, they said, Santa Barbara’s water is too “calcified” to achieve the quality they’re striving for. They’re just as particular about what goes into the dough and onto the pies: The flour comes from California, while the mozzarella comes from Wisconsin. Other ingredients come from the Santa Barbara Farmers’ Market, and the menu’s specials change with the seasons, allowing them to highlight fresh ingredients from local farmers and artisans. Some of the hard part is over, but of course, they’re still learning, growing, and working out the kinks. “We have an amazing product,” said Jumale, “but, at the end of the day, we’re just two normal guys trying to create some magic, and that always comes with a little bit of chaos.” COURTESY MILIO’S

hen I phoned Chef Miles Robbins and Kamil

BRIGITTE PARK

S ay Cheese!

FOOD&DRINK

p.51

Milio’s pepperoni pizza

Milio’s Pizza, 801 State Street, open Tuesday through Sunday. See miliospizzasb.com.

INDEPENDENT.COM SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT

S.B. Pho

Enjoy one last flight from

Brings Homemade to State Street

Taste a lineup of new Frequency wines curated by the Independent’s Matt Kettmann, who reviewed many of them for Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Tasting deal ends Sunday, Sept. 6.

MATT KETTMANN’ S FREQUENCY FAVE S

Here’s a lineup of new Frequency wines cura ted by the Independen Matt Kettmann, who t’t’s reviewed many of them for Wine Enthusiast Magazine. His scores and brief notes are inclu ded.

TASTING FLIGHT $2

BL ANC, RHÔNE WH

ITE, 2025

SANTA BARBARA COU NTY 65% Grenache Blan c-35% Viognier 92 points: “Attentio n-grabbing and bold , boasting apricot, lych and mango-banana ee candy aromas.”

DIPALERMO, JOHN CHARDONNAY, 2024SEBASTIANO VINEYARD,

STA . RITA HILLS 94 Editor’s Choice: “Fascinating wine from a challenging vineyard, showing that maybe struggle does make for strength.”

PRESQU’ILE VINEY

ARD, SYRAH, 2024 SANTA BARBARA COU NTY 97 Cellar Selection : “Thrilling array of cracked peppercorn smashed elderberry , and savory harmony. Drin intriguing rosemary aromas that work in k now-2040.” PORTICO HILLS VIN

EYARD, GRACIANO, SANTA BARBARA COU 2024 NTY 93 points: “Bright acid ity and booming flav ors of acai, blueberr and more violet, with y hints of pepper and lilac also in play.” SELECT, GRACIANOSYRAH, 2023

SANTA BARBARA COU NTY 60% Graciano-40% Syrah 96 Editor’s Choice (for 2022 vintage): “Winemaker Zac Was serman is mastering the art of Graciano in blen ds.”

FOOD & DRINK

$5 of every tasting flight goes towards the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund.

John Dickson’s reporting can be found every day online at SantaBarbara.com. Send tips to info@SantaBarbara.com.

THE INDEPENDENT

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

INDEPENDENT.COM

COURTESY

AT FREQUENCY WINES!

new chapter in Santa Barbara’s dining scene is unfolding at S.B. Pho, located at 1221 State Street, where husbandand-wife team Jade and Ron Fairbanks have transformed their former breakfast-andpizza spot into a full Vietnamese restaurant centered on the country’s most iconic dish. Before becoming S.B. Pho in late 2023, the space was known as Four Eggs and Pizza. The original menu featured international breakfasts, with “four eggs” symbolizing the PHO FAMILY: Husband-and-wife team Jade and Ron four continents that inspired Fairbanks, owners of S.B. Pho at 1221 State Street, their dishes. But one breakfast transformed their former Four Eggs and Pizza restaurant item kept outselling every- into a Vietnamese restaurant after discovering that pho had become their customers’ favorite dish. thing else: Vietnamese pho. “After a year and a half, we Photo Credit: realized the pho was what people really COURTESY broth over it, the meat cooks instantly wanted,” said Ron. “So, wePHO decided to and just falls apart.”team Jade and Ron Fairbank FAMILY — Husband-and-wife go all in and make it the State focus. TheThe couple The menu also their includes Street. transformed formerbánh Four mì Eggs and P name S.B. Pho is our wayVietnamese of thank-restaurant sandwiches made with tenderafter discovering thatpork pho had become their ing the people of Santa Barbara — they loin, chicken breast, organic tofu, and created the restaurant for us.” bulgogi-style ribeye — all prepared The couple’s path to pho began long daily. “No mystery meat,” Ron said SbInPho Homemade with a smile. “Everything weVietnames serve is before moving to California. Utah, Brings they owned a Pier 49 PizzaStreet franchise, fresh. We’re chopping vegetables three but during the pandemic, they started By John Dicksontimes a day.” For Jade, the food also has a perexperimenting with Vietnamese soup on the side. To their surprise, it quickly sonal connection. A lifelong sensitivoutsold the pizza. “We didn’t to MSG kept her scene from isenjoying A advertise, new chapter inity Santa Barbara’s dining unfolding at SB P but word spread,” Jade recalled. pho growing upteam in Vietnam. “I always Street,“Peowhere husband-and-wife Jade and Ron Fairbanks hav ple came for the pho, and that changed loved the idea of Vietnamese pho but couldn’t eatcentered breakfast-and-pizza spot into a full restaurant everything.” it,” she said. “Ron created a version I dish. Ron, who grew up in Santa Barbara, can enjoy — and it’s better for everyreturned home to open a smaller, more one’s health.” personal restaurant. “In Utah, we had Together, the couple sees S.B. Pho 3,600 square feet and a big staff,” he as both a return and a restart — a said. “Here, it’s just the two of us most homecoming for Ron and a labor of days. We wanted to keep the focus on love for Jade. “Santa Barbara deserves food that’s made with care,” Ron said. quality instead of overhead.” That focus shows in the details. “Everything here is about freshness, S.B. Pho offers three broths — beef, patience, and doing it right.” chicken, and vegetarian — each made S.B. Pho is open daily at 1221 State from scratch. The beef version sim- Street, Suite 10, in Victoria Court. mers for two days, the chicken cooks For hours and menu details, visit overnight, and the vegetable broth sbpho.com or call (805) 770-5996. takes several hours. None use MSG. “We rely on traditional spices and aro- HAPPY CAT EATS EXPANDING: The popumatics,” Ron said. “It’s cleaner, and you lar Happy Cat Eats at 23 East Cabrillo can taste every ingredient.” Boulevard has applied to remove The beef pho features thin-sliced two parking spots located right in ribeye, trimmed by hand. “We cut front of the business with the goal of about 30 percent of the fat so it stays increasing seating and to add bicycle tender without being chewy,” Ron parking. Call (805) 505-6847 or visit explained. “When you pour the boiling happycateats.com.

Family S tyle

Domingo’s Café

Is a Family Business Full of Authenticity

omingo’s Café is a multi-generational, family-run small business thriving in Old Town Goleta for 26 years, and going back even further in other Santa Barbara locations. Forty years back, in fact. Domingo Sifuentez started the business in 1986 and, along with his family and dedicated staff, has continued to serve the greater Santa Barbara community in more ways than one. How has this restaurant persisted through the changing Goleta food scene? A strong sense of genuine community is the answer. I had the joy of sitting down with Sifuentez, as well as his daughters, Monica Scafidi and Sonya Williams. “We are multi-generational, and so are our customers. We started with ones my dad’s age, and then their kids come in, and then they bring their kids in. It’s nice to see that we’re

by Ella Bailey | Photos by Ingrid Bostrom

very family-oriented and community-based. You’re not a stranger after you come in here once. You get stuck with us. You’re part of our family,” Scafidi, the eldest daughter of Sifuentez and overseer of business operations, said. “I can say I love all my customers. They’ve been with me for years and years. Now we’re seeing their kids come,” Sifuentez said. “They all want to give me a hug.” “That’s probably the highlight of his day,” Scafidi responded. “I married one of those customers, and we’ve been married 32 years,” said Williams, Sifuentez’s middle child and helper at the café. “Monica knows everybody’s order, but she’s here a lot, so she knows everybody’s order before they sit there. So that’s really cool,” Williams said. They serve many different items, but the family noted that the Mexican cuisine they serve is a community favorite, such as enchiladas and seasonal tamales. “We have specials on Saturdays and Sundays, and pork chili verde was a special, but it’s on our menu now because everyone loves it,” Williams said. “A lot of our customers are looking for the mom-andpop shop. They don’t want us to change anything. Our customers are super loyal, and they’re not really into the big corporate restaurants,” Scafidi said. “They’re not looking for fancy, and we’re not fancy. We’re just good.” It takes a village to run this restaurant, and this village is one expanded family. “Teresa Sifuentez is the backbone of the business as well. She does all the paperwork. Without her and Dad, this place couldn’t run,” Scafidi said about her mother. “My mom was born and raised here in Old Town. Even though they moved to Santa Barbara, our business has always been based in Goleta.” We also discussed the history of Domingo’s contributions to the restaurant scene in Santa Barbara since 1963. He worked at the Orchid Bowl restaurant in Goleta from 1963 to 1977, when its location moved to the San Marcos Lanes bowling alley from 1977 to 1985/86. He started Domingo’s

Café in 1986 at Orchid Bowl in Goleta, and in 2000, the café moved to where it still resides today in Old Town Goleta. Though it takes dedicated staff and community to run the business, this family agrees the best part of their experience at Domingo’s Café is working with family. “Being able to have three generations all the time, almost daily, is the best part, and we have four generations, and sometimes they’ll pop in,” Scafidi said. Sifuentez is at the café daily. “Not too many people can say they see their dad every day, or their parents every day. The best part is just being around each other as a family,” Williams said. “Dad has overcome everything. Everything from things breaking down because it is an old building (this used to be a post office) to trying to find a cook that will stay, and finding loyal staff. He is the hardest-working man you’re ever gonna meet,” Williams said. Domingo’s Café is truly entwined in Santa Barbara County’s present and past history. “There’s some really neat pictures in the back of the café of Santa Barbara and Goleta, way back when — pictures that maybe nobody else has seen before, and to even come in to see those pictures is worth it,” Williams said. “I tell people we unofficially are the Old Town Goleta Museum,” Scafidi said, adding that many customers bring in pictures to share. Since Sifuentez has been working for so many years, his daughters have continued to help out when they can. “I’m getting to the point that I am slowing down, and my kids are taking over,” he said. “So, we’ve stepped up. You know,

Breakfast time

that’s just what we do as a family,” Scafidi said. “If you want good food, great family, or hospitality and nothing fancy, come to Domingo’s Café. We’re not trying to sell you anything except for what we have here, and you’re going to get a loyal family, great food, and service with a smile,” Williams said. Sifuentez has been selected as this year’s Grand Marshal of Goleta’s Holiday Parade to honor his outstanding community service. Sifuentez is not only a business owner, but also a friend to all in the community. You can come to the café for conversation and a genuine family business that is so rare to see nowadays.

FOOD & DRINK

A Community Favorite Since 1986

The sign for Domingo’s Cafe

Domingo’s Café, 5782 Hollister Ave., Goleta, open daily from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; (805) 967-0655; @domingoscafe93117

It’s all in the family at this restaurant.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY by Rob Breszny WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 3

ARIES

Welcome Isla Vista to

All Six Episodes of Welcome to Isla Vista Series are Live:

Ep. 1, Welcome to Del Playa Drive Ep. 2, Rise and Fall of Development: Student Stories Part 1 Ep. 3, Rise and Fall of Development: Student Stories Part 2 Ep. 4, Political I.V. Ep. 5, The Quieter Corner Ep. 6, The Cliff’s Edge scan here to listen

(Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Most of us are surprisingly clueless about the inner workings of our own bodies. Do you know where your gallbladder and spleen actually live or what jobs they perform on your behalf? Can you trace the journey your breath takes after it slips into your lungs? Have you ever experimented to discover in detail which foods best suit your one-of-a-kind system? Do you know, from experience rather than guesswork, how much sleep you require to stay vividly awake and emotionally balanced? The current astrological climate favors you becoming a curious apprentice of your body’s gorgeous mysteries.

TAURUS

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(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I am asking you to give yourself slack in situations where you sometimes treat yourself carelessly or unkindly. Instead of tightening, loosen. Instead of cornering yourself, offer an escape hatch. Ask: “What if I give myself 20 percent more mercy, 20 percent more time, or 20 percent less pressure?” Maybe you’ll get an extension on a deadline or allow yourself to be a learner instead of an expert. Rather than calling yourself a failure because you’re less than perfect, you’ll decide, “It’s good enough for now.” As you slip away from the traps you set for yourself, you’ll teach your nervous system a fresh truth: You can be gentle with yourself but still be responsible.

(Apr. 20-May 20): The English idiom “cut to the chase” comes from the silent films of the early 20th century. When the plot dragged, directors would literally switch to a chase scene to restore audience interest. Various languages have other ways to say “get to the point” or “skip to the crux.” Spanish: ir al grano. French: aller droit au but. Italian: venire al dunque. Japanese: hondai ni hairu. In accordance with astrological omens, Taurus, I suggest you do that in the coming days. Skip the boring parts. Jump to the action scenes. You can return later and fill in the story details, but for now you’re best served by moving toward the exciting essence or the crucial core of things.

SCORPIO

GEMINI

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In classical music, composers often develop a simple motif into a complex symphony. A short sequence of notes becomes the foundation for an entire composition. A key passage gets rearranged and elaborated in multiple ways. You will have a comparable opportunity in the coming weeks, Sagittarius: a seed of potential that seems modest at first could expand into more substantial riches if you cultivate it patiently. Your visionary aplomb and optimism can transform a core cell into a full orchestration.

(May 21-June 20): This is one of those unusual times when laziness and apathy work in your favor. Life is organizing a relaxing renewal on your behalf, and your main job is to not interfere. So, I advise you to skip the hustle and enjoy the thrill of being still. Put a pause on doing and indulge in the fine art of simply being. Please, Gemini? Set aside your ambitions for now. Hide your to-do list. Inform your chattering monkey mind that it’s on temporary leave from its usual jumping and squawking. Feel guilt-free as you immerse yourself in the most relaxed versions of feeling good and welcome whatever fresh vitality wants to flow in.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): In the 17th century, Dutch inventor Christiaan Huygens discovered that two pendulum clocks hanging on the same wall gradually synchronized their swings. Why? He eventually realized that tiny vibrations traveled through the wall and made the clocks influence each other. Scientists call this “entrainment.” Now is prime time for you to capitalize on this phenomenon, Cancerian. I urge you to be extra alert for how your moods, rhythms, and intentions subtly affect the people around you, and vice versa. If you cultivate qualities you’d like to predominate in your relationships, you will find others unconsciously aligning with your rhythm.

LEO

Visit

LIBRA

(July 23-Aug. 22): Now is an ideal time to have fun cultivating the art of receptivity. Have fun being as open to influence as you can imagine. Be innocent! Be amenable! Be willing and eager to be surprised! It doesn’t mean surrendering your drive or drifting aimlessly while life happens around you. I’m talking about an active, alert sensitivity that invites wonder and transformation. You think boldly, act with purpose, and radiate what’s uniquely yours, and yet you also remain humbly aware that learning never ends and that wisdom can arrive from unpredictable directions.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ve been extra reasonable lately. How do you manage to be so responsible, measured, and composed? I’m not complaining. I admire your integrity. But now the cosmic omens are clear that’s it’s time to address your soul’s needs for more wonder and awe and reverence. So, I will slip you a tantalizing prod: What’s the best, most healing trouble you could provoke right now? I’m not referring to recklessness and chaos, of course. I mean twists and tweaks that stir up inspiration and liberate creativity. Are you bold enough to follow the truth and beauty that thrills and intrigues you?

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio, you rarely need to be lighter and breezier. Your assignment is almost always to delve deeper and explore further. This is true now even more than usual. Other people might shiver and cower in the face of your intensity, but I celebrate it because it drives you to excavate the rich, messy truths and complicated feelings that really shouldn’t stay hidden. Regard this horoscope as your authorization to wield your emotional X-ray vision with precision, and to trust that the treasures you seek are often buried in places that scare others away.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You seem to be wandering in a frontier for which there are no maps. You’re hovering in liminal zones, between worlds. So, for now, I guess you will have to steer without your usual guidance. That’s a good thing! What I can do is name the gifts that are likely to come your way as you explore the unknown: (1) turbo-charged intuitions about your best possible future; (2) a talent for spotting surprising connections you didn’t even know you were looking for; and (3) a provocative unpredictability that magnetizes allies who can help tease out and illuminate your hidden and buried desires.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The placebo effect has a lesser-known counterpart called the nocebo effect: Negative expectations can create negative outcomes. If you’re told a harmless pill might cause headaches, you’re more likely to develop them. Your belief in harm creates actual harm. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I’m worried you may be nocebo-ing yourself right now. Your conviction that certain outcomes are inevitable is encouraging them to manifest. So, here’s my counsel: Which negative expectations or predictions are you treating as facts? Consider the possibility that the problems you’re so skilled at identifying are being called into existence by your identification of them. And if you find that’s happening, STOP! Formulate some healing alternatives.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-Mar. 20): “Dear Rob: Your horoscopes delight me in a spooky way. They make me feel as if you’re watching me from afar, not like a stalker, but like an eccentric guardian angel who gives me a heads-up before I do something foolish, tells me about opportunities I haven’t noticed, and shakes awake the part of me that’s inclined to quit. Thanks a million times! —Deep Pisces.” Dear Deep: You have exquisite timing, because now is an ideal moment to pour out gratitude for the people who’ve lifted you up and helped you. Offering appreciation now will function as a potent prayer that will be far more effective than pleading for what you don’t have. It will set in motion an irresistible magic that draws even more blessings in your direction.

Homework: What’s the most important thing you’ve never done? tinyurl.com/v9v9v9v9 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. 54

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PROFESSIONAL

APPLICATION DE DEVELOPER ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

The Application Developer for Advancement Services serves as the technical expert responsible for the design, development, maintenance, and optimization of the University’s enterprise Advancement CRM systems (currently Advance*) and related technologies, supported by an Oracle Database environment. Under general supervision and with a high degree of individual responsibility and integrity, this role works with a team of programmers while ensuring the successful implementation of customizations, integrations, and data management solutions that support the university’s fundraising, alumni relations, and donor stewardship efforts. The position combines advanced programming expertise with leadership experience and a strong understanding of advancement systems to ensure technical solutions align with departmental strategic goals. This position also requires strong communication and collaboration skills, working closely with university executives, fundraisers, gift administration, and prospect services staff to support reporting needs, data analysis, and the delivery of accurate and actionable advancement information that informs strategic fundraising initiatives and decision‑making. Designs, develops, and optimizes complex reports and reporting frameworks. Conducts comprehensive data audit processes, establishes validation standards, and ensures consistency and accuracy across reporting outputs. Leads the department in report development, testing, and documentation. Supports advanced data analysis initiatives to identify trends and inform strategic decisions. Designs and delivers dashboards and visualizations tailored to diverse stakeholders. Promotes effective use of analytical tools in data interpretation and presentation. Manages data import processes from internal and external sources, including third‑party screenings. Defines standards for data mapping, transformation, and validation. Ensures accurate integration of screening results and guides the team in maintaining efficient, repeatable workflows. Develops and maintains integrations between internal systems and third‑party vendor applications/software to ensure reliable and timely data exchange. Establishes monitoring, alerting, and error‑resolution protocols. Troubleshoots synchronization issues, reconciles discrepancies, and

improves overall integration reliability. Defines and enforces data standards, business rules, and quality controls. Performs data cleansing, deduplication, and validation efforts. Collaborates with stakeholders to promote best practices and ensure long‑term data reliability. Manages user access, roles, and permissions to ensure appropriate and secure access to sensitive data. Leads the implementation of data security protocols within the Ellucian Advance system to safeguard donor and alumni information. Ensures compliance with relevant regulations and institutional privacy policies, across all technical solutions and system customizations. Collaborates closely with the security team on campus to enforce data access controls and conducts periodic security audits while advising on best practices for secure data handling. Performs database performance tuning, maintenance, and optimization. Develops and reviews queries, stored procedures, and scripts. Supports backup and recovery planning, system upgrades, and long‑term technical strategy. Reqs: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related field (or equivalent work experience); 4‑6 yrs Expertise and working knowledge in Oracle PL‑SQL, Oracle DBA, ASP.net, Visual Basic, C#, C++, Crystal Reports, MS Access, IIS, HTML, CCS, JavaScript, Perl, XML and PHP; 4‑6 yrs of experience and proficiency with web development, security, maintenance and interfacing complex web reporting and web applications; Deep knowledge of database management, optimization, and reporting tools. Notes: Satisfactory criminal history background check. Hiring/Budgeted Salary Range: $83,165 to $111,000/year. Full Salary Range: $83,165 to $/150,565.68/ year. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and 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 characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 09/04/2026. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu, Job # 88368.

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIS ASSISTANT

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS Provides comprehensive coordination of financial activities and record keeping practices for the Department of Associated Students as part of the central administrative unit. Supervises the preparation of minutes for Senate, Business and Finance Committee and various Boards and Committees, with particular emphasis on the tracking and routing of financial commitments approved by Student Leadership. In consultation with other administrative and unit staff members and students, designs and implements transactional and recordkeeping processes. Reviews and processes invoices and disbursement obligations for A.S. Admin; A.S. Units; student entities and manages the underlying paperwork to pay vendor bills and student reimbursements. Tracks action items and financial approvals of all A.S. Boards and Committees. Administers philanthropic giving practices. Requirements: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Organized and pays close attention to detail. Ability to solve problems, conduct research and present solutions to management. A team player as well as a leader in situations where required. Knowledge of office automation systems, procedures, and methods. Experience with Financial systems, accounts payable and receivable. Reqs: Associates Degree or Equivalent experience; 1‑3 yrs Computer skills and experience of Microsoft suite

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

products; 1‑3 yrs Accounts payable or general accounting experience; 1‑3 yrs Adaptability, including implementing frequent changes in regulations, policies and procedures; 1‑3 yrs Billing, accounts payable or accounts receivable experience; 1‑3 yrs Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, edit and proofread materials, organize and multi‑task with frequent interruptions and meet critical deadlines with a high degree of professionalism; 1‑3 yrs Experience in financial management work (i.e. budgeting, accounting, auditing, management analysis, program evaluation, financial reporting of program results), of which (b) at least 1 ( year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (c) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below; 1‑3 yrs Experience with accounts receivable with troubleshooting ability to reconcile account balances, recognize unusual data, and interpret data. Notes: Satisfactory criminal history background check. Hiring/Budgeted Hourly Range: $29.35/hr. to $31.38/hr. Full Salary Range: $29.35/hr. to $42.06/ hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and 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 characteristic protected by law. Application review begins September 9, 2026. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu, Job # 88469

FINANCIAL ANALYST POLICE DEPARTMENT

Summary of Job Details: Under the general supervision of the Lieutenant of Administration, the Financial Analyst provides analytical, budget, financial management, and organizational support on a wide range of financial matters for Police & Public Safety. Responsible for daily fiscal and business operations, including general ledger reconciliation, maintaining accuracy of information recorded in accounting systems, researching, analyzing and reconciling financial data, and the purchasing audit. Conducts ad hoc financial analysis and/or reporting for a wide variety of projects and systems. Must work independently and act with sound judgment and confidentiality, anticipate job requirements, prioritize and coordinate multiple complex tasks with interruptions while able to meet deadlines. Supervises one (1) FTE. Reqs: High School Diploma or equivalent certification; Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training; 1‑3 yrs’ experience in finance or a related field; Proficiency in the use of spreadsheet and database software; Ability to act independently with sound judgement and confidentiality; Ability to function effectively as a member of a team; Effective verbal and written communication skills; Attention to detail and ability to multitask in a high‑volume environment. Notes: Applicants are required to complete a background investigation; Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse; Mandated reporting requirement of Dependent Adult Abuse; UCSB Campus Security Authority under Clery Act; 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; Satisfactory criminal history background check. Full Salary Range: $64,206 to $105,340/yr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,

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disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Open Until Filled. Apply online at https:// jobs.ucsb.edu, Job # 88291.

employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 9/9/26. Apply online at https:// jobs.ucsb.edu, Job # 88463

MEDICAL ASSIS ASSISTANT

STHL (STUDENT HEALTH)

LAB MECHANICIAN

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCE Organizes and completes projects involving fabrication of instrumentation for both classroom and research; mechanical repair, light vehicle repair, wood working, and occasional metal working. Minor plumbing and electrical repair. Repairs and maintains instructional supplies and equipment. Coordinates field trips, readying vehicles, equipment and supplies. Occasionally provides staff support on field trips, and may be in the field for up to 10 days. Manages field equipment storeroom. Assures all department facilities meet EH&S requirements. Assists in laboratory remodels. Reqs: High School diploma or GED and four years of metal shop experience and journeyman skill in the operation of all standard machine shop equipment; or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience; Knowledge of and experience with basic hand and power tools; Knowledge of safety gear needed in the application of power tools, hand tools, general construction procedures and procedures associated with the use of various tools; Ability to work within timelines and juggle multiple projects simultaneously; Ability to communicate both written and verbally; Reliable, organized and able to pay attention to detail and prioritize; Ability to work effectively in a team environment; Ability to work in a socially and culturally diverse environment; Must possess effective computer skills and the ability to prioritize work, and perform a variety of tasks simultaneously under the pressure of deadlines. Notes: Satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check; Maintain a valid CA driver’s license, a clean DMV record and enrollment in the DMV Employer Pull‑Notice Program. Hiring/ Budgeted Hourly Range: $36.27 ‑ $37.10/ hr. Full Salary Range: $36.27 to $43.62/ hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for

MAIL PROCESSOR MAIL

Works at the customer service window of the University Center Post Office performing US Postal Service transactions and release parcels to addressees (students). Receives, records and sorts incoming US Mail and parcels. Picks up incoming mail from the USPS processing center and also delivers packages to the Santa Catalina Residence complex daily. Operates the University Center truck. Lifts and handles parcels weighing up to 50 pounds. Responsible for performing daily scheduled tasks within the UCen Post Office including: monitoring student staff, confirming addressing of US Mail and packages with inaccurate addressing and discerning the appropriate disposition of these items. Basic light cleaning and maintenance duties, and other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description. Reqs: Two yrs of experience in the handling of campus and U.S. mail, including a working knowledge of postal regulations and postal rates. Notes: Occasional special work hours on weekdays and weekends may be needed as directed by manager. Ability to lift 50 lbs; 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; Satisfactory criminal history background check. Hiring/Budgeted Range: $26.86/ hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and 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 characteristic protected by law. Open Until Filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu, Job # 88215.

Under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, the medical assistant provides medical and administrative support to the physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses. The medical assistant will assist, perform or provide limited support for the following: exams, procedures, taking vitals, perform point‑of‑care lab testing, checking in/out patients, filling out necessary paperwork, taking phone/electronic messages and following directives from the clinicians. The medical assistant will also act as a medical chaperone. The medical assistant will perform autoclave and laundry duties, and run errands as needed. Reqs: High School Diploma or equivalent; Knowledge of clinical policies and procedures; Knowledge of medical terminology; Knowledge of electronic medical records and computer skills; Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment; Ability to communicate well with patients, families, co‑workers, physicians, advance care providers, other members of the healthcare team, community resources, as well as the campus community; Ability to organize and prioritize work; Ability to follow oral and written instructions; Ability to reason and make sound judgments; Skilled in identifying problems and recommending solutions; Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co‑workers, management, patients, medical staff, the public, and the campus as a whole; Skilled in accepting constructive criticism and giving suggestions in a professional manner; Act in accordance with the highest possible standards of ethics and integrity and comply with work rules, standards, and procedures; Certification with one of the following agencies: American Association of Medical Assistants (AMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants (CMAA). Note: Applicants

without a proper certification will not be considered. Notes: Student Health requires all clinical staff successfully pass the fingerprint background check and credentialing before the start date. To comply with Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Health Officer Order, this position must provide evidence of annual influenza vaccination, or wear a surgical mask while working in patient care areas during the influenza season. Any HIPAA/FERPA violation may be subject to disciplinary action. This is an 11‑month per year position. Work hours may include Thursday evenings from 10am‑7pm. Student Health is closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day; Credential verification for clinical practitioner; Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse; Satisfactory criminal history background check. Hiring/Budgeted Hourly Range: $28.32/hr. to $33.85/hr. Salary or Hourly Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $28.32/ hr to $$33.85/hr. Full Salary Range: $28.32/ hr. to $35.19/hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and 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 characteristic protected by law. Open Until Filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu, Job # 88234.

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E M A I L A D V E R T I S I N G @ I N D E P E N D E N T. C O M

LEGALS ADMINISTER OF ESTATE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: FRED NORMAN GAEDEN No.: 26PR00382 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: FRED NORMAN GAEDEN aka FREDDIE NORMAN GAEDEN A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: KAREN L. SHAW in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. THE PETITION requests that (name): KAREN L. SHAW be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. 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: 09/17/2026 at 9:00 a.m. Dept: 5 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, located at 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101. 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. Angela Braun, Executive Officer 08/07/2026 by Kim Gallegos, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: John A. Berryhill 1505 East Valley Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93108; 805‑969‑4451 Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JEANINE G. SWIFT CASE NO. 26PR00386 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of JEANINE G. SWIFT. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SUSAN RACHEL SWIFT ARNALL in the Superior Court of California, County of SANTA BARBARA. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SUSAN RACHEL SWIFT ARNALL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils,

if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. 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: 09/24/26 at 9:00AM in Dept. SB5 located at 1100 ANACAPA ST., SANTA BARBARA, CA 93121‑1107 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. Attorney for Petitioner PHILIP A. ZAMPIELLO, ESQ. SBN 198723 MCGARRIGLE KENNEY & ZAMPIELLO, APC 9600 TOPANGA CANYON BLVD., #200 CHATSWORTH CA 91311 Telephone (818) 998‑3300 8/27, 9/3, 9/10/26 CNS‑4070163# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: TED DRAKE No.: 26PR00406 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: TED DRAKE A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: The Church of Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. THE PETITION requests that (name): MARK LURIE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

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: 10/08/2026 at 9:00 a.m. Dept: SB 5 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, located at 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101. 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. Angela Braun, Executive Officer 08/20/2026 by Kim Gallegos, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: Dennis Kasper 550 South Hope Street, Suite 2400, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 213‑647‑0005 Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: HUNG TRAN No.: 16PR00337 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: HUNG TRAN A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: HIEM TRAN in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. THE PETITION requests that (name): HIEM TRAN 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: 10/01/2026 AT 9:00 a.m. Dept: SB 5 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, located at 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101. 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

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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. Angela Braun, Executive Officer 8/20/2026 by Nicolette Barnard, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: Vuong Q. Nguyen, Esq.; 9550 Bolsa Avenue, Unit 224, Westminster, CA 92683; 714‑876‑6786. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MARK STEWART LANGELL CASE NUMBER: 26PR00414 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: MARK STEWART LANGELL aka MARK S. LANGELL aka MARK LANGELL A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: KIM PETERS in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that : KIM PETERS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. 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: 10/15/2026 at 9:00 a.m. Dept: SB 5 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, located at 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 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. Angela Braun, Executive Officer 08/24/2026 by Kim Gallegos, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: Jeffrey Daugherty 924 Anacapa Street, Suite 1‑T, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; 805‑963‑4567 Published: Sep 3, 10, 17 2026. NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: CAROL DEAN VANICE CASE NUMBER: 26PR00404 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: CAROL DEAN

VANICE; CAROL D. VANICE A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: RYAN KNIGHT in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that : RYAN KNIGHT be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. 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: 10/08/2026 at 9:00 a.m. Dept: SB 5 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, located at 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 SOUTH COUNTY PROBATE. 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. Angela Braun, Executive Officer 08/20/2026 by Kim Gallegos, Deputy. Attorney for Petitioner: Jesse R. McCabe 2356 Moore Street, Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92101; 619‑224‑2848 Published: Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

FBN ABANDONMENT STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME The following Fictitious Business Name is being abandoned: HOT WIRE ELECTRIC: 232 West Yanonali Street, Unit B. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 The original statement for use of this Fictitious Business Name was filed 01/05/2022 in the County of Santa Barbara. Original File no. FBN 2022‑0000017. The persons or entities abandoning use of this name are as follows: Kevin Hines 1187 Coast Village Rd Ste I‑209 Santa Barbara, CA 93108 The business was conducted by an A Individual. Registrant commenced to tranact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Dec 28, 2021 Signed by: KEVIN HINES Filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 08/05/26, FBN 2026‑0001999 E30. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in the Office of the County Clerk, Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME The following Fictitious Business Name is being abandoned: CAL COAST LOCKSMITHS SERVICES: 272 Orange Ave, Suite 1 Goleta, CA 93117 The original statement for use of this Fictitious Business Name was filed 04/09/2024 in

the County of Santa Barbara. Original File no. FBN 2024‑0000914. The persons or entities abandoning use of this name are as follows: Avanelle J Gutow (same address) Schuyler W Covert (same address) The business was conducted by an A General Partnership. Registrant commenced to tranact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A Signed by: AVA COVERT FKA AVANELLE GUTOW/ GENERAL PARTNER Filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 08/13/26, FBN 2026‑0002051 E76. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in the Office of the County Clerk, Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME The following Fictitious Business Name is being abandoned: SHEAR ARTISTRY: 271 North Fairview Ave,. Ste 102 Goleta, CA 93117 The original statement for use of this Fictitious Business Name was filed 08/08/2025 in the County of Santa Barbara. Original File no. FBN 2025‑0001885. The persons or entities abandoning use of this name are as follows: Avanelle J Gutow (same address) Schuyler W Covert (same address) The business was conducted by an A Individual. Registrant commenced to tranact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 01, 1999 Signed by: SUSAN CARRERA Filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 08/18/26, FBN 2026‑0002082 E30. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in the Office of the County Clerk, Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: CONSTRUCTIVE: 830 Fortuna Ln. Goleta, CA 93117; Power Wave Holdings LLC 2108 N St Ste N Sacramento, CA 95816 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 01, 2026. Filed by: JOHN KUBIAK/ MANAGING MEMBER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 21, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0001879. Published: Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: COASTLINE EQUIPMENT: 6242 Paramount Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90805; Bragg Inbestment Company, 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 Sep 30, 2026. Filed by: M. SCOTT BRAGG/PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 6, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002006. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YOUR PRINT ADVANTAGE: 70 South Kellogg Ave Goleta, CA 93117; Boone Printing And Graphics, 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: CHRISTOPHER OCHSNER/ PRODUCTION MANAGER AND BORD MEMBER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 10, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002019. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOT WIRE ELECTRIC: 1120 Cliff Dr. Santa Barbara,

CA 93109; Kevin Hines 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: KEVIN HINES/CEO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 8, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0001998. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: LAW OFFICE OF SEANA B THOMAS, APC: 15 W. Carrillo St Ste 247 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Law Office Of Seana B Thomas, APC (same address) This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Oct 25, 2016. Filed by: SEANA B THOMAS/PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 23, 2026. 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 4. FBN Number: 2026‑0001904. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOKU FINANCIAL PARTNERS: 1187 Coast Village Road, I‑395 Santa Barbara, CA 93108; The Omdahl Group, Inc. (same address) This business is conducted by A Corportion Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 28, 2026. Filed by: JEFFREY M OMDAHL/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 29, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0001958. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: MI GUSTO AUTO: 3890 Via Real, Suite G Carpinteria, CA 93013; Javier Limon (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 03, 2026. Filed by: JAVIER LIMON/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 3, 2026. 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 76. FBN Number: 2026‑0001987. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2026‑0001952 The following person(s) is doing business as: AZURA, 2105 LAGUNA ST SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101, County of SANTA BARBARA. ALEXANDRE PAUL, 2105 LAGUNA STREET, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101 This business is conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on NOT APPLICABLE /s/ ALEXANDRE PAUL This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/29/2026. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/3/26 CNS‑4068597# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RIP CURL GARDENS: 38 Rip Curl Place Goleta, CA 93117; Karl D Rider (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 01, 2026. Filed by: KARL RIDER/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 31, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0001977. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS

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LEGALS (CONT.) STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RODRIGO GIMENEZ CONSULTING: 246 Chickasaw Street Ventura, CA 93001; Carlos Rodrigo Gimenez (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 06, 2026. Filed by: CARLOS RODRIGO GIMENEZ with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 30, 2026. 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 76. FBN Number: 2026‑0001967. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KORE PSYCHOTHERAPY: 1235 Coast Village Rd, Suite E Santa Barbara, CA 93108; Nicole LM Harman PO Box 30493 Santa Barbara, CA 93130 This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 31, 2026. Filed by: NICOLE HARMAN with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 03, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0001984. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LARS DESIGN: 621 North Y St. Lompoc, CA 93436; Leslie A Robinson‑Stone (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Nov 1, 2003. Filed by: LESLIE A. ROBINSON‑STONE with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 03, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0001981. Published: Aug 13, 20, 27. Sep 3 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2026‑0001953 The following person(s) is doing business as: HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS OF VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA 2895 LOMA VISTA RD, SUIТЕ В, VENTURA CA 93003 County of VENTURA. VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA SERVICES LLC 2895 LOMA VISTA RD, SUIТЕ В, VENTURA CA 93003 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 N/A. VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA SERVICES LLC /S/ BROOKS MARSHALL, PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/29/2026. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/3/26 CNS‑4064416# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SERENADE BY ELLE: 1071 Veronica Springs Road Santa Barbara, CA 93109; Laurie A Starks (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, 2026. Filed by: LAURIE A STARKS with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 31, 2026. 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 81. FBN Number: 2026‑0001972. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DOCOO 805 DOCUMENT CONSULTING : 2046 Modoc Rd, Apt 22 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Ana L Rios Suaste (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: ANA LILIA RIOS SUASTE/ PROPIETARIO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 11, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002033. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ONE STOP HANDYMAN: 805 W Sola St Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Jesus S Cuevas PO Box 90937 Santa Barbara, CA 93190 This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Jul 15, 2021. Filed by: JESUS S CUEVAS/ OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 13, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0001780. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CAL COAST LOCKSMITHS, CAL COAST LOCKSMITH : 272 Orange Ave Suite #1 Goleta, CA 93117; Cal Coast Locksmith Services 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, 2026. Filed by: AVANELLE COVERT/PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 13, 2026. 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 76. FBN Number: 2026‑0002052. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: ELEMENTS EMDR THERAPY AND TRAINING: 629 State Street, #249 Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Christina Viani Family Therapy, Inc. 3463 State Street #219 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 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: CHRISTINA VIANI/ SECRETARY with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 12, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002038. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: DIAL LENDING: 224 Anacapa St, 2A Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Dial Lending LLC 1187 Coast Village Road Ste 230 Santa Barbara, CA 93108 This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Feb 1, 2026. Filed by: JAMES EVANS/SECERTARY with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 17, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002076. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SHEAR ARTISTRY: 271 N Fairview Avenue, Suite 102 Goleta, CA 93101; Kendra R Gomez (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 13, 2026. Filed by: KENDRA GOMEZ/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 17, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002071. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s)

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is/are doing business as: ROEMERIA BLOOM BAR, ROEMERIA MERCANTILE: 215 East Victoria Street, Apt B Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Whitney H Roemer (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: WHITNEY ROEMER/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 6, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002010. Published: Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2026‑0001988 The following person(s) is doing business as: AIR‑VOL BLOCK, LLC DBA AIR VOL BLOCK, 2150 DOUGLAS BLVD., SUITE 260 ROSEVILLE, CA 95661 County of PLACER Registrant(s): AIR‑VOL BLOCK, LLC 2150 DOUGLAS BLVD., SUITE 260 ROSEVILLE, CA 95661 State of Inc./Org./Reg: CALIFORNIA This business is conducted by a Limted Liability Compаnу. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on July 01, 2022 AIR‑VOL BLOCK, LLC /S/ JUAN P. ALDRETE, CFO This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 08/04/2026. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 8/20, 8/27, 9/3, 9/10/26 CNS‑4067673# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2026‑0001988 The following person(s) is doing business as: AIR‑VOL BLOCK, LLC DBA AIR VOL BLOCK, 2150 DOUGLAS BLVD., SUITE 260 ROSEVILLE, CA 95661 County of PLACER Registrant(s): AIR‑VOL BLOCK, LLC 2150 DOUGLAS BLVD., SUITE 260 ROSEVILLE, CA 95661 State of Inc./Org./Reg: CALIFORNIA This business is conducted by a Limted Liability Compаnу. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on July 01, 2022 AIR‑VOL BLOCK, LLC /S/ JUAN PALDRETE, CFO This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 08/04/2026. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 8/20, 8/27, 9/3, 9/10/26 CNS‑4067673# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: ALIGN SPEECH THERAPY: 1027 Chino St Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Julia C Tomasulo (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: JULIA C TOMASULO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 17, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002073. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2026‑0001965 The following person(s) is doing business as: EMCOR SERVICES MESA ENERGY 1120 MARK AVE. CARPINTERIA CA 93013 County of SANTA BARBARA. MESA ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. 301 MERRITT 7, 6TH FLR. 6TH FLOOR NORWALK CT 06851 This business is conducted by A CORPORATION.

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E M A I L A D V E R T I S I N G @ I N D E P E N D E N T. C O M

PROPERTY TAX-DEFAULT (DELINQUENT) LIST Made pursuant to Sections 3371 & 3372 Revenue and Taxation Code

I, Harry E. Hagen, Santa Barbara County Treasurer-Tax Collector, State of California, certify that:

The real properties listed below were declared to be in tax-default at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2023, by operation of law pursuant to Revenue & Taxation Code Section 3436. The declaration of default was due to nonpayment of the total amount due for the taxes, assessments and other charges levied in the fiscal year 2022-2023 that were a lien on the listed real property.

Tax-defaulted real property may be redeemed by payment of all unpaid taxes and assessments, together with the additional penalties and fees, as prescribed by law, or it may be redeemed under an installment plan of redemption.

The amount to redeem, including all penalties and fees, as of September 2026, is shown opposite the parcel number and next to the name of the assessee. All information concerning redemption of tax-defaulted property will be furnished, upon request, by Harry E. Hagen, Treasurer-Tax Collector, at the office locations listed below: Santa Barbara: Santa Maria: Or if Mailed:

Pay on the internet:

County Administration Building 105 E. Anapamu Street, Room 109 Telephone: (805) 568-2920 Betteravia Government Center 511 E. Lakeside Parkway Telephone: (805) 346-8330

P.O. Box 579, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0579 www.sbtaxes.org

PARCEL NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLANATION The Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), when used to describe property in this list, refers to the assessor’s map book, the map page, the block on the map (if applicable), and the individual parcel on the map page or in the block. The assessor’s maps and further explanation of the parcel numbering system are available in the assessor’s office. Property tax-defaulted on July 1, 2023, for the taxes, assessments, and other charges in the bill year 2022-2023: ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER

ASSESSEE NAME

AMOUNT TO REDEEM

INDEPENDENT CLASSIFIEDS

LEGALS (CONT.)

PHONE 805-965-5205

PARCEL NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLANATION

The Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), when used to describe property in this list, refers to the assessor’s map book, the map page, the block on the map (if applicable), and the individual parcel on the map page or in the block. The assessor’s maps and further explanation of the parcel numbering system are available in the assessor’s office.

Property tax-defaulted on July 1, 2023, for the taxes, assessments, and other charges in the bill year 2022-2023: ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER

ASSESSEE NAME

AMOUNT TO REDEEM

E M A I L A D V E R T I S I N G @ I N D E P E N D E N T. C O M

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/15/2016 MESA ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. /S/ THOMAS HIEBERT, VICE PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 07/30/2026. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 8/27, 9/3, 9/10, 9/17/26 CNS‑4069395# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN2026‑0002027 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: THE NAILSPA, 4419 HOLLISTER AVE, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93110 County of SANTA BARBARA YOULING PENG, 4419 HOLLISTER AVE, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93110 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. S/ YOULING PENG This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 08/11/2026. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 8/27, 9/3, 9/10, 9/17/26 CNS‑4065828# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: BLUE TERRAPIN: 802 Kentia Ave Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Ofer Amir (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 13, 2026. Filed by: OFER AMIR with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 17, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002070. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: SAN ZEPHYRINO PARTNERS: 1130 Del Sol Avenue Santa Barbara, CA 93109; Steven H Campbell (same address) Natasha H Campbell (same address) This business is conducted by A General Partnership Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Filed by: STEVEN H CAMPBELL/ PARTNERSHIP with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 10, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002020. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: ELDER FITNESS ADVOCATES: 621 North Y St. Lompoc, CA 93436; Elder Fitness Advocates (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 08, 2026. Filed by: LESLIE ROBINSON‑STONE/PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 19, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002095. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

I certify, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct. HARRY E. HAGEN, CPA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR

Executed at Santa Barbara, County of Santa Barbara, California on August 21, 2026. Published in The Santa Barbara Independent on September 3, September 10, & September 17, 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: GRAN LAVADO: 1511 S Broadway Santa Maria, CA 93454; Lou’s Laundry LLC 791 Price Street #679 Prismo Beach, CA 93449 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: LOUIS EISENBERGER/ MANAGING MEMBER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 19, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002105. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

the Office of the County Clerk. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL) by 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002134. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: BUCKLE UP!: 5314 Orchard Park Ln Santa Barbara, CA 93111; Traci Russell (same address) Natasha Kucherenko (same address) This business is conducted by A General Partnership Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Apr 01, 2025. Filed by: TRACI RUSSELL/ GENERAL PARTNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 17, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002067. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: COTE & CARRY: 1485 East Valley Road, Suite 12 Santa Barbara, CA 93108; MC Swan Inc. PO Box 5154 Santa Barbara, CA 93150 This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 19, 2026. Filed by: M CLARE SWAN/ PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 21, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002125. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: DIPPED: 6720 Calle Koral 208 Goleta, CA 93117; Lucia G Harris (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 17, 2026. Filed by: LUCIA HARRIS with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 19, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002101. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: BOOKS THAT LOVE CHILDREN: 4622 Vista Buena Road Santa Barbara, CA 93110; Books That Love Children (same address) This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 07, 2026. Filed by: BRANDI BATES/ DIRECTOR with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 10, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002021. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FAIRWAY CONSULTING: 810 East Carrillo Street Santa Barbara, CA 93103; Mark T Philibosian (same address) This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 07, 2026. Filed by: MARK THOMAS PHILIBOSIAN with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 11, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002035. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: QUICK QUACK CAR WASH: 1423 S Bradley Santa Maria, CA 93103; Quick Quack Car Wash Holdings, LLC 6020 W Oaks Blvd, Ste 300 Rocklin, CA 95765 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 10, 2026. Filed by: THOMAS HOUDEK/CFO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 12, 2026. 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 73. FBN Number: 2026‑0002044. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: POSTAL ANNEX #12003: 85 W Highway 246 Buellton, CA 93427; Captmat Shipping 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 Aug 19, 2026. Filed by: MATHEW CURTO/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 21, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002122. Published: Aug 27. Sep 3, 10, 17 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GUARDIAN MARTIAL ARTS: 1107 State St Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Palaestra Leadership Inc. 1010 Newton Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 This business is conducted by A Corporation Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Dec 14, 2024. Filed by: NATHANAEL CHAWKIN/FOUNDER & CEO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 24, 2026. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CALI BOOKKEEPING: 1211 Coast Village Road, Ste 1 Santa Barbara, CA 93108; David Machacek 160 Holly Avenue Apt 9 Carpinteria, CA 93013 This business is conducted by A Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Aug 01, 2026. Filed by: DAVID MACHACEK/OWNER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 25, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002131. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: TORNOE ROAD ASSOCIATION: 960 Tornoe Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105; Auralee Bunch (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: AURALEE BUNCH/ PRESIDENT with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 25, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0002146. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN 2026‑0002046 The following person(s) is doing business as: LITTLE RANGERS, 901 WELDON RD, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93109, County of SANTA BARBARA. ROOTS & SKY VENTURES LLC, 901 WELDON RD, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93109 State of Inc./Org./Reg: 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 JUL 01, 2026 /s/ TRACY THOMAS, MANAGING MEMBER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on 08/12/2026. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24/26 CNS‑4073252# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TRADEBUILT:

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INDEPENDENT CLASSIFIEDS

LEGALS (CONT.) 2090 Holly Ln Santa Barbara, CA 93463; Amanda Dwyer (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 30, 2026. Filed by: AMANDA DWYER with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 24, 2026. 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 30. FBN Number: 2026‑0001920. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FIRST CALL REMODEL AND HOME REPAIR: 8415 Morro Rd Atascadero, CA 93422; Central Coast Casualty Restoration, 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: RUTH M SNYDER/ CORPORATE SECRETARY with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 25, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002142. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BUELLTON GARAGE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR: 254 E Highway 246 Buellton, CA 93427; Buellton Garage 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 Jun 01, 2015. Filed by: JENNIFER HURNBLAD/ CFO with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 26, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002157. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FIRST CALL

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PLUMBING: 8415 Morro Rd Atascadero, CA 93422; Central Coast Casualty Restoration, 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 Nov 23, 2016. Filed by: RUTH M SNYDER/ CORPORATE SECRETARY with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Aug 25, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0002141. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CARE CONNECTION SERVICES: 2155 Ortega Hill Rd, #2 Summerland, CA 93067; Care Connection Services (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 29, 2026. Filed by: ROBBIN BUXTON/OWNER with the

NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING Hybrid Public Meeting – Held in Person and via Zoom September 28, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.

County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on Jul 29, 2026. 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 71. FBN Number: 2026‑0001963. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026.

LIEN SALE EXTRA SPACE STORAGE, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below: Dawer Perez Canete Ramiro Estrada At the location indicated: 6640 Discovery Drive, Goleta, CA 93117. 09/15/2026 at 3:30 PM The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property

Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay District Ordinance (Case No. 26-0004-ORD)

NAME CHANGE

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 www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas. www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: WOODWYN KOONS & DMITRI SIEGEL CASE NUMBER: 26CV04911 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER: WOODWYN KOONS & DMITRI SIEGEL 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: JUDE SEQUOIA SIEGEL PROPOSED NAME: BEE SEQUOIA SIEGEL 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 28, 2026, 10:00 am, DEPT: 5, SANTA BARBARA SUPERIOR COURT COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 1100 Anacapa Street., Santa Barbara, CA 93121, A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the 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 August 11, 2025, JUDGE Colleen K. Sterne of the Superior Court. Published Aug 20, 27. Sep 3, 10 2026.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Goleta Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider recommending to City Council adoption of an Ordinance to make permanent Chapter 17.22 of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Goleta Municipal Code (GMC) related to a Senior Mobile Home Park (“SMHP”) Overlay District. The City Council will consider any recommendation at a later hearing to adopt amendments to Title 17. The date, time, and location of the Planning Commission public hearing are set forth below. The agenda for the hearing will also be posted on the City website (www.cityofgoleta.org www.cityofgoleta.org). HEARING DATE/TIME:

Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.

PLACE:

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).

PROJECT LOCATION: The amended regulations would apply citywide, including all areas of the City within the Coastal Zone. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project includes adoption of a permanent ordinance to retain the City’s existing SMHP Overlay regulations (Section 17.22 of the GMC), which were previously adopted via Urgency Ordinance 26-02U on February 17, 2026 and subsequently extended by Urgency Ordinance 26-03U on March 17, 2026. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq., “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 California Code of Regulations Sections 15000 et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”), the proposed permanent ordinance is exempt pursuant to Section 15301, which categorically exempts activities involving negligible or no expansion of use of existing facilities, and Section 15061(b)(3), which applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. This Ordinance merely makes permanent regulations in the Goleta Municipal Code as it relates to the age restrictions for senior mobile home parks within the City, and it does not directly or indirectly authorize or approve any actual changes to the physical environment (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 and Section 15061(b)(3)). 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 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. FOR PROJECT INFORMATION: For further information on the project or for inquiries in Spanish, contact Lucy Graham, Housing Manager, at (805) 9617546 or LGraham@cityofgoleta.gov LGraham@cityofgoleta.gov. Staff reports and documents will be posted approximately 72 hours before the hearing on the City’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org. www.cityofgoleta.org SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION: If you require interpretation services for the hearing, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (805) 961-7505 or via email to cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.gov at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Please specify the language for which you require interpretation. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting helps to ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the hearing. 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 at or before the public 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) 961-7505. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the hearing will enable City staff to make reasonable arrangements. Publish Date: Santa Barbara Independent, September 3, 2026 60

THE INDEPENDENT

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

INDEPENDENT.COM

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: ANNIE VU CASE NUMBER: 26CV04675 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: PETITIONER: ANNIE VU 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: ANNIE VU PROPOSED NAME: ANNIE VU CURLEY 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 October 2, 2026, 10:00 am, DEPT: 4, SANTA BARBARA SUPERIOR COURT COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 1100 Anacapa Street., Santa Barbara, CA 93121, ANACAPA DIVISION A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published in the

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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 August 21, 2026, JUDGE Donna D. Geck of the Superior Court. Published Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF (Revocable Trust of Deceased Settlor) SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ANACAPA DIVISION IN RE THE MATTER OF: MARY G. CANO, Case No. 26PR00401 No Hearing Required NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the creditors and claimants of the Deceased Settlor, Mary G. Cano, and The Cano Living Trust dated May 4, 1994, as follows: 1.Trustee Contact Information: The name, address, telephone number and email address of trustee of The Cano Living Trust dated May 4, 1994, is Teresa Cano Carter, P.O. Box 22136, Santa Barbara, CA 93121, (805) 895‑9933, stbtc@hotmail.com. 2.Claims Process: Claims must be filed with the Santa Barbara County Superior Court at P.O. Box 21107, Santa Barbara, CA 93121, and a copy delivered/mailed to the trustee. 3.Claims Deadline: Claims must be filed within the latter of: •Four (4) months from the date of first publication; or •Sixty (60) days from the mailing or personal delivery of this notice. Claim forms are available from the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, located at 1100 Anacapa St, 2nd Floor Santa Barbara, California 93101, and whose mailing address is P.O. Box 21107, Santa Barbara, California 93121‑1107, Erin R. Parks, Attorney for Teresa Cano Carter, Trustee of The Cano Living Trust dated May 4, 1994. Published Sep 3, 10, 17 2026.

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPOINT GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT – TRUSTEE AREA 2 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a vacancy exists on the Governing Board of the Hope Elementary School District representing Trustee Area 2 due to a failure to elect (no candidates filed for the office) pursuant to Education Code Sections 5328 and 5328.5. The Governing Board intends to make an appointment to fill this vacancy. Application Procedure: Any eligible individual residing within Trustee Area 2 who wishes to be considered for appointment must submit a letter of interest. • Eligibility: Applicants must be registered voters residing within Trustee Area 2 of the Hope Elementary School District. • Information: Additional information about the role and district are available at the District Office located at 3970 La Colina Rd., #14, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 or on the district website at www.hopesdk6.org. • Submission Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted to Dr. Anne Hubbard at ahubbard@ hopeschooldistrict.org or mailed to 3970 La Colina Rd, #14, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 by September 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. For questions or additional information, please contact Dr Anne Hubbard at ahubbard@hopeschooldistrict.org or (805) 682‑2564. LEGAL NOTICE – The business records of the following customers of ACCESS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (or any affiliates of ACCESS) located at 5950 Condor Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021 have been abandoned: LEACH MOUNCE ARCHITECTS. All records will be shredded 9 days after publication of this notice. Anyone claiming to have an interest in the records should contact Access Information Protected in writing at the following address 4 First Avenue, Peabody, MA 01960, Attn: Legal Department, Tel. No. (888) 869‑2767 (Client Support); email: Collections@ accesscorp.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Santa Barbara County SELPA (SBCSELPA) and its member districts actively seek out all individuals with exceptional needs, ages birth through 21, including infants and children enrolled in parentally placed private schools. Special education programs are available to all eligible students with disabilities, ages birth to 21 in Santa Barbara County. If you are concerned about your child’s development or have reason to believe your child needs special education due to a physical, mental, emotional, learning or speech problem, you may contact either the SELPA office or your local school district Special Education Department if you have questions about referring a child for special education serv ices. Santa Barbara County Special Educat ion local Plan Area Office (SELPA) 5385 Hollister Ave., Bldg. 7 Mail: 5385 Hollister Ave., Box 107 Santa Barbara, CA 93111 ldentificacion v Localizacion de Ninos con Necesidades Especiales AVISO PUBLICO: SELPA del Condado de Santa Barbara (SBCSELPA) y los distritos afiliados buscan a todos los nifios con necesidades excepcionales entre O y 21 afios de edad, incl uyendo bebes y nifios inscritos en escuelas privadas por sus padres. Los programas de Educacion Especial estan disponibles para todos los estudiantes con discapacidades entre O y 21 afios de edad en el Condado de Santa Barbara.Si usted esta preocupado acerca del desarrollo de su hijo o tiene la minima razon de pensar que su hijo necesita servicios de educacion especial debido a problemas ffsicos, mentales, emocionales, de aprendizaje ode habla, comunfquese con la oficina de SELPA o con el Oepartamento de Educacion Especial de su Oistrito Escolar si tiene alguna pregunta acerca de referir a un nifio para servicios de educacion especial.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) NOTICE INVITING PROPOSALS The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HASBARCO) invites proposals from qualified individuals or firms to provide Strategic and Housing Navigation Consulting Services. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to shereeaulman@hasbarco.org and received no later than 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on September 17, 2026. Proposals received after the specified deadline will not be considered. All proposals will be held in confidence and will not be publicly released until after a contract has been awarded. The Request for Proposals (RFP), including the scope of services, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria, is available on HASBARCO’s website at www. hasbarco.org . Questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing to: Sheree Aulman, Construction Contract Coordinator, Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara, Email: shereeaulman@hasbarco.org HASBARCO reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive any informalities or irregularities in the proposal process, and award a contract in the manner deemed to be in the best interest of HASBARCO. Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara 815 West Ocean Avenue Lompoc, CA 93436 www.hasbarco.org

SUMMONS SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): RUT MEDEL, and DOES 1‑20, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): OCEANIC ENTERPRISES, INC. (formerly OCEANIC COMPANIES, INC.), OCEANIC SAN DIEGO, L.P. AND MANOJ CHAWLA 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 Center(www.courtinfo. ca.gov/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): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO 330 W.

INDEPENDENT CLASSIFIEDS

PHONE 805-965-5205

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LEGALS (CONT.) Broadway.San Diego, CA 92101 CASE NO: (Número del Caso): 25CU033874C 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): Michael Wright, Esq.; 5190 Govenor Dr., Suite 207, San Diego, CA 92122 (858) 554‑1830 DATE Fecha): 06/27/2025. Clerk, by (Secretario) /s/ G. Escorcia, Deputy (Adjunto) Published: Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 2026. 2ND AMENDED Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court Notice to the person being sued: • You are the defendant if your name is listed in on page 2 of this form or on form SC‑100A. The person suing you is the plaintiff, listed in on page 2, • You and the plaintiff must go to court on the trial date listed below. If you do not go to court,‑you may lose the case, If you lose, the court can order that your wages, money, or property be taken to pay this claim. • Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case. • Read this form and all pages attached to understand the claim against you and to protect your rights. Aviso al Demandado: Usted es el Demandado si su nombre figura en c de la pagina 2 de este formulario, o en el. formulario SC‑100A, La persona que lo demanda es el Demandante, la que figura en de la pagina 2. Usted y el Demandante tienen clue presentarse en la corte en la fecha del juicio indicada a continua.cion. Si no se presenta, puede perder el caso. Si pierde el caso, la corte podria ordenar que le quiten de su sueldo, dinero u otros bienes para pagar este reciamo. • Lleve testigos, recibos y cualquier otra prueba que necesite para probar su easo • Lea este formulario y todas las pc ginas adjuntas para entender la demanda en su contra y para proteger sus derechos. Order to Go to Court Superior Court of California County of Santa Barbara Angela Braun, Executive Officer 09/21/2026 9:00 AM By: Nikki Punsaian, Deputy Fill In court name and street address: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara Anacapa Division 1100 Anacapa’s Street Santa Barbara, CA 93121‑1107 Court fills in case number when form is filed. Case Number: 26CV00331 Case Name: Rodriguez v. Smith The people in 1 and 2 must attend court: 09/21/2026 9:00 am SB 3 , Angela Braun Date: 4/13/2026 Clerk, by Is/ Nikki Punsaian, Deputy Instructions for the person suing: You are the plaintiff. The person you are suing is the defendant. Before you fill out this form, read form SC‑100‑INFO, Information for the Plaintiff, to know your rights. You can get form SC‑100‑INFO at any courthouse or county law library, or go to www.ca.gov/ rules‑forms/find‑your‑court‑forms. Fill out pages 2, 3, and 4 of this form. Make copies of all the pages of this form and any attachments—one for each party named in this case and an extra copy for yourself. Take or mail the original and the copies to the court clerk’s office and pay the filing fee. The clerk will write the date of your trial in the box above. Your court may allow electronic filing, Check your local court website for information: www.courts.cagovIfind‑my‑courthon. • You must have someone at least 18—not you or anyone else listed in this case give each defendant a court‑stamped copy of all pages of this form and any pages this form tells you to attach. There are special rules for “serving,” or delivering, this form to public entities, associations, and some buSihesses. See forms •SC404, SC‑104B, and SC‑1040. • Go to court on your trial date listed above. Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case. Published: Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 2026.

TRUSTEE NOTICE APN: 043‑152‑013 TS No: CA05000002‑23‑3 TO No: 250187865‑CA‑VOI NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE (The above state‑ ment 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 11, 2026 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 pur‑ suant 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 cer‑ tain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property here‑ tofore described is being sold “as is”. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real prop‑ erty described above is purported to be: 1809 SAN ANDRES ST, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101 The undersigned Trustee dis‑ claims 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 $537,827.54 (Estimated). However, prepayment premiums, accrued inter‑ est and advances will increase this fig‑ ure 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 autho‑ rized 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 under‑ stand 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 inves‑ tigate 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 regard‑ ing 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 informa‑ tion or on the Internet Website. The best way to verify postponement informa‑ tion is to attend the scheduled sale. Notice to Tenant NOTICE TO TENANT FOR FORECLOSURES AFTER JANUARY 1, 2021 You may have a right to pur pur‑ chase this property after the trustee auc‑ tion pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligi‑ ble tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and high‑ est 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 trust‑ ee 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 high‑ est bid, and the address of the trust‑ ee. 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. Effective March 1, 2026, new federal regulations (89 Fed. Reg. 70.258) may impact residential real property (1‑4 residential units) title transfers to covered entities trusts, with reporting requirements unless exempt. https://www.federalregister‑gov/ documents/2024/08/29/2024‑19198/ a n t i ‑ m o n e y ‑ l a u n d e r i n g ‑ reg u l a‑ tions‑for‑residential‑real‑estate‑trans‑ fers Date: August 7, 2026 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 127401, Pub Dates: 08/20/2026, 08/27/2026, 09/03/2026, SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT T.S. No. 146884‑CA APN: 065‑620‑019 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 2/9/2022. 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 9/23/2026 at 10:00 AM, CLEAR RECON CORP, as duly appointed trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 3/14/2022 as Instrument No. 2022‑0012811 of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Santa Barbara County, State of CALIFORNIA executed by: TOPAZ SUMMERFIELD, A SINGLE WOMAN WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, 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 FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE; AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE

TO THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 1100 ANACAPA STREET, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101 all right, title and interest con‑ veyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: MORE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 472 SAN RICARDO DR, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93111‑2539 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common des‑ ignation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regard‑ ing title, possession, condition, or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured 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: $110,269.25 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 a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned or its predecessor caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be record‑ ed in the county where the real prop‑ erty is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should under‑ stand 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 inves‑ tigate 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 com‑ pany, 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 (855) 313‑3319 or visit this Internet website www.clearreconcorp. com, using the file number assigned to this case 146884‑CA. 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 informa‑ tion or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT: Effective January 1, 2021, you may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursu‑ ant 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 exercis‑ ing this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (855) 313‑3319, or visit this internet website www. clearreconcorp.com, using the file number assigned to this case 146884‑CA

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 writ‑ ten 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. FOR SALES INFORMATION: (855) 313‑3319 CLEAR RECON CORP 3333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 225 San Diego, California 92108. Published Aug 27. Sep 3, 10 2026. NOTICE OF AMENDED PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: ALEXANDER READ CRONIN AKA A. READ CRONIN AND READ CRONIN CASE NO. 26PR00345 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of ALEXANDER READ CRONIN AKA A. READ CRONIN AND READ CRONIN. AN AMENDED PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by EDWARD WRIGHT CRONIN, JR. in the Superior Court of California, County of SANTA BARBARA. THE AMENDED PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that EDWARD WRIGHT CRONIN, JR. be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE AMENDED PETITION

requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. THE AMENDED 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: 09/24/26 at 9:00AM in Dept. SB 5 located at 1100 ANACAPA ST., 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. Attorney for Petitioner GAMBLE T. PARKS ‑ SBN 230431 FENNEMORE LLP 1006 SANTA BARBARA STREET SANTA BARBARA CA 93101 Telephone (805) 420‑6010 9/3, 9/10, 9/17/26 CNS‑4071932# SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT

The County of Santa Barbara Community Services Department’s (CSD) Division of Housing and Community Development invites comments on the HOME Consortium and CDBG Urban County Partnership 2025 Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The Santa Barbara Urban County Partnership includes the County and the member cities of Buellton, Carpinteria, and Solvang. The HOME Consortium is comprised of the Urban County members and the cities of Goleta, Lompoc, and Santa Maria. The CAPER summarizes and evaluates previous year achievements using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a local government performance reporting tool, the CAPER also documents progress made towards meeting the affordable housing and community services goals established by the County’s Consolidated Plan and Strategic Plan. The 2025 Draft CAPER will be available for a 15-day public comment period from Thursday, September 3 through Friday, September 18. The Draft CAPER may be reviewed online at https://www.countyofsb.org/494/Housing-CommunityDevelopment or in person at 123 E. Anapamu Street, Suite 202, Santa Barbara Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Written comments may be submitted by mail to 123 East Anapamu Street, Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or by email to HCD@countyofsb.org and must be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 18. If you need additional information, have questions, or require special accommodations, please call (805) 568-3520. The County is committed to equal housing opportunities for all of its residents. La División de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario del Departamento de Servicios Comunitarios (Community Services Department; CSD) del Condado de Santa Barbara invita a comentar sobre el Borrador del Informe Anual Consolidado de Desempeño y Evaluación (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report; CAPER) 2025 del Consorcio HOME y la Alianza Urbana del Condado de CDBG. La Alianza Urbana del Condado de Santa Barbara incluye al Condado y a las ciudades miembro de Buellton, Carpinteria y Solvang. El Consorcio HOME está compuesto por los miembros de la Alianza Urbana del Condado y las ciudades de Goleta, Lompoc y Santa Maria. El CAPER resume y evalúa los logros del año anterior utilizando los fondos del programa de Subvenciones en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario (Community Development Block Grant; CDBG) y del programa de Asociaciones de Inversión HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships; HOME) asignados por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos (HUD). Como herramienta para informar el desempeño del gobierno local, el CAPER también documenta el progreso logrado en el cumplimiento de las metas de vivienda asequible y servicios comunitarios establecidas por el Plan Consolidado y el Plan Estratégico del Condado. El borrador del CAPER 2025 estará disponible para comentarios públicos durante un período de 15 días, del jueves 3 de septiembre al viernes 18 de septiembre. Puede consultarlo en línea en https://www.countyofsb.org/494/HousingCommunity-Development o en persona en 123 East Anapamu Street, Suite 202, Santa Bárbara, de lunes a viernes, de 8:00 AM a 5:00 PM. Los comentarios por escrito pueden enviarse por correo postal a 123 East Anapamu Street, Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 o por correo electrónico a HCD@countyofsb.org y deben recibirse antes de las 5:00 PM del viernes 18 de septiembre. Si necesita información adicional, tiene preguntas o requiere adaptaciones especiales, llame al (805) 568-3520. El condado está comprometido con la igualdad de oportunidades de vivienda para todos sus residentes. INDEPENDENT.COM INDEPENDENT.COM SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT

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