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JOURNAL

8 – 15 JANUARY 2026 | VOL 32 ISS 2 www.montecitojournal.net

Voice of theV illage

SERVING MONTECITO AND SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA

A Novel by

Michael C. Armour

Not satisfied simply to serialize Michael C. Armour’s brooding novel of an untamed Central Coast, the Montecito Journal Media Group is also publishing it. The first chapter of this elegiac frontier epic – and Gwyn Lurie’s author interview – are just a page turn away…

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8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Editorial – MJ launches its first novel, championing Michael Armour’s 5 cinematic Santa Barbara tale of love, mystery, and grit

6 worry, trust me. The only downside? You get pictures after. These you won’t Beings and Doings – Colonoscopy. Oooh, big scary medical word! Not to

want to frame.

pirituality Matters – Mindful movement, equine healing, creative rituals, and 18 Scommunity workshops anchor this month’s spiritual and self-discovery events Curator’s Choice – Squawk Talk and the SB Audubon Society

Sweet SYR Starts – A soul-nourishing New Year’s Eve at San Ysidro Ranch, 20 shared over caviar, carpaccio, and rain-lit reflection

Montecito Miscellany – A symphonic New Year’s Eve at Pepper Hill plus La Local News – Montecito Fire Chief David Neels announces March 8 Lieff’s 22 retirement joyful Jingle Paws dog celebration after decades of service and transformative local leadership

10 mental illness when care, resources, and love still fall short

Community Voices – Beyond blame: supporting families navigating severe

Storm Watch – King Tides and a nine-inch deluge reshape Butterfly Beach, exposing infrastructure and prompting rapid repairs Tide Guide

News Bytes – Raising Our Light, fire leadership updates, a local book 11 launch, free Sea Center day, and Botanic Garden centennial events ur Town – Meet Isla, Santa Barbara’s New Year baby, and the 12 Ocompassionate Cottage teams guiding her first chapter

On Entertainment – Peter Noone headlines a rare hometown show as Kids 14 Helping Kids celebrates 20 years with Anne Wilson Elizabeth’s Appraisals – Exploring centuries of scarf culture – from 16 Nefertiti and Napoleon to wartime slogans and vintage Hermès treasures

Montecito JOURNAL

The Optimist Daily – Rediscover your intrinsic motivation this New Year with energy audits, micro-boundaries, and values-driven choices

23 Sheriff ’s Blotter Stories Matter – Suspense, self-discovery, senior romance, opera’s backstage 24 battles, and a luminous debut anchor this month’s must-reads Montecito Reads – Jump into Chapter 1 of Last Light in Paradise and 31 prepare for this local frontier epic Calendar of Events – A lively January lineup: Mariposa magic, Dustbowl 36 Revival, Konrad Kono, Jazz Society, Cuyama Mama, Sea Change, and more

38 Classifieds ini Meta Crossword Puzzles 39 MLocal Business Directory

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney

8 – 15 January 2026

Editorial

‘Last Light’ and a New Year by Gwyn Lurie

appy New Year! And boy, could we use one. These days have not been sunny, however the Montecito Journal is trying to brighten the path in 2026 by sharing with you a book we’ve fallen in love with. Last Light in Paradise is the first novel published by the Montecito Journal Media Group. Book publishing is not an easy business. It’s expensive and it’s hard, and we would not be jumping into that fray were it not for our discovery of a very special piece of literature. I first read the manuscript for Last Light in Paradise, previously titled Creek, by Michael C. Armour, seven or eight years ago when my friend Brett Matthews handed it to me and said “this is a great book, you’ve got to read it.” Having worked in the movie business I’m used to people plunking books down on my desk in the hopes that I can “help get it made,” which of course, if I had such power, I would’ve had a lot more movies produced. But Brett’s passion and excitement won me over, so I read the manuscript, and he was right – it’s great. It captivated me from the first pages, delivering on so many levels. It’s a powerful love story. It’s fascinating vis-avis the history of Santa Barbara (including the genesis of the film industry in this town). It also delivers intrigue and mystery and social commentary. It’s cinematic and hypnotic and exciting. All these years later, after some fresh edits and a creative collaboration between the author and our C.O.O. Tim Buckley and Trent Watanabe, our talented artistic director, we finally had a worthy cover design, the right paper quality, and a title we all felt good about. Indeed, we are proud to share this special book with you, in serialized form – at least the first six chapters. Then you can buy the physical book. Or you can just buy the book straight away. Which we hope you will do because we think you will fall in love with it just as we did. At the Montecito Journal we are committed to supporting local bookstores by encouraging people to shop locally and engage with books and reading. That’s why we decided not to sell the book ourselves. Instead, we chose to have Chaucer’s handle e-sales for those outside the area, while local readers can purchase the book at Tecolote in Montecito, Chaucer’s in Santa Barbara, and Godmothers in Summerland. And now it’s my great honor to introduce you to Michael Armour, a celebrated painter, accomplished equestrian, and an award-winning author of children’s books. But perhaps Armour’s greatest talent is as a novelist – the thing at which he admittedly had to work the hardest. You judge for yourself.

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Editorial Page 284 284

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Montecito JOURNAL

Beings and Doings

So it was that I recently reported to the garage to have my Exhaust Manifold inspected. The technicians call this a colonoscopy, and it deflates the Majesty thing in a jiffy.

Probing the Mysteries by Jeff Wing

he wondrous origins of life have long been debated. Was life manufactured by a Loving, Purposeful Designer (Creationism), or did life emerge from a Tiresomely Sluggish, Eons-Long Series of Hollering, Arm-Waving, SelfCorrecting Accidents (Evolutionary Darwinism)? These positions would seem to be mutually exclusive, yet there are skittish wafflers (with all due respect) unwilling to commit. And so we have a third theory called Theistic Evolution. To my limited intellect this is on a par with Vegan Beef. The topic surely merits a future overwritten column. This much is inarguable: whether created or evolved, the human body’s miraculous insides are a jelly-packed collection of crazy-looking tubes, filters, and bags that appear to have been poured down the open neck in haste. The large intestine looks like a radiator hose tossed carelessly over a clothesline, the liver drapes itself over

the stomach like a sentimental drunk, and the heart – metaphorical engine of humankind’s indomitable spirit – nestles sloppily between the lungs like a lumpen spitball launched through a straw in 2nd period algebra. The repulsive-looking pancreas is stuck randomly into the gutworks like a Mr. Potato Head afterthought. Miracle? It’s a miracle this macabre junk drawer even works. But it does, marvelously, and it underwrites our every human whimsy.

The Right Shoes You will deliberate for a solid hour over the purchase of a wristwatch, leaning over the glass case with furrowed brow. You will spend an entire afternoon selecting the perfect shirttrouser-and-shoe combination, toting the goods jauntily to your car with a bounce in your step, touchingly alive with the anticipation of leveraging the attractive new stuff in social transactions whose tribal nuances rival the complexities of the spleen. We’re a complex and sublime animal.

Spelunking Without a Helmet

The highly-evolved human machine: an almost laughable chaos of tubes and bags (public domain)

Underneath it all, though, your “person” exists at the pleasure of this other thing – your body; a mysteriously animate, warmth-radiating contraption, insanely complex and in need of frequent maintenance. The human body has not been overpraised. It is a marvel in whose majesty one may truly revel. Until you receive something in the mail that reminds you it needs to be raised on a hydraulic jack and its delicate undercarriage intimately probed by a professional stranger.

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A colonoscopy, recommended as a pre-emptive procedure for persons of a certain age, is the exploratory spelunking of the large intestine by a photographer wearing a smock. We don’t want things growing in there that can eventually harm us, and so it is periodically necessary to enlist a helpful professional to have a look. Cellular life is opportunistic, to our generally good fortune. It always means well, but sometimes it will excitedly effloresce under less-than-optimal circumstances and need to be dealt with. The colonoscopy procedure is surprisingly quick and is not in the least bit uncomfortable, honestly. Unless one’s pride has nerve endings.

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Beings & Doings Page 344 344

A Season of Legacy

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Montecito JOURNAL

8 – 15 January 2026

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8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

YES, WE DO THAT!

Montecito Miscellany A Symphonic Start to ‘26

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by Richard Mineards & Friends

ontecito rang in the New Year with glam, goodwill, and a dash of Monte Carlo flair at Mary and Bob Gates’ “Carriage House of Pepper Hill,” the beautifully restored 1916 estate they call home. Nearly 100 guests arrived dressed to the nines, stepping into a courtyard washed in blue and green light. Father Time and Mother Eternity greeted everyone at the door, while inside, a sparkling entry table – topped with a towering floral arrangement and vintage party hats – set the tone for the night. Framed photographs by Alma Rose Middleton lined the estate, capturing years of past New Year’s memories. Cocktails flowed, and Chef Cristian Chavez’s hors d’oeuvres disappeared quickly thanks to an attentive waitstaff. For the Gates’, New Year’s Eve is a “party with purpose,” centered on their love for the Santa Barbara Symphony and their commitment to supporting young musical talent. The evening began at the Granada Theatre, where the Gates, serving as Artist Sponsors, reserved prime seats for 60 friends – many first-timers to the Symphony’s annual Broadway-meetsHollywood celebration. Tony Awardwinning conductor Stuart Malina led the program, joined by rising musical theater star Madison Claire Parks. After the concert, guests returned to Pepper Hill for round two. Some tried their luck at a Monte Carlo-style blackjack table, while others hit the dance floor to live music from Bob Luna, John Hart, Donzell Davis, and two-time Grammynominated vocalist Shea Chambers.

A highlight of the night was 19-yearold Maile Kai Merrick, a Santa Barbara native with an already impressive résumé – performances with Katy Perry, David Foster, and Kenny Loggins among them. Studying at the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, she’s on a fast track to a bright future; as Mary Gates quipped, it won’t be long before Maile’s name shines on a Broadway marquee. She was joined by pianist Andrew Diffenderfer, a Cal Baptist freshman and 2023 Santa Barbara Teen Star winner. As midnight neared, Maile belted “All I Ask of You,” and Bob Gates led the countdown before “Auld Lang Syne” filled the room. For Mary, the night’s magic comes down to friendship, music, and creating space for young artists to dream big. “It’s that harmony of generosity, creativity,

A furry, festive affair at La Lieff (photo by Priscilla)

and shared wonder,” she said, “that makes each New Year’s Eve so meaningful.” From the Granada to Pepper Hill, the celebration was more than a party – it was a reminder of how art and community can bring people together. by Sarah Ettman-Sterner

Pawsitively Festive La Lieff kept spirits high and tails wagging at its 2nd Annual Jingle Paws Dog Show & Holiday Party, where pups and their people arrived decked out in festive finery. The red carpet doubled as a catwalk – well, dogwalk – as every four-legged star strutted off with a special award. Guests sipped La Lieff wines, browsed limited-edition holiday gift bags, and lined up for something new: intuitive pet readings from Santa Barbara’s own Laura, offering sweet, whimsical insights into canine thoughts and quirks. With wine flowing, dogs glowing, and plenty of holiday cheer, it was the kind of event only La Lieff could pull off.

The 19-year-old Maile Kai Merrick enchanting the audience (photo by Priscilla)

Mary Gates in silver, accompanied by Father Time and Mother Eternity, welcoming guests (photo by Priscilla)

Richard sends his thanks for your many cards and good wishes, they are deeply appreciated. He reports that he’s improving every day, though there’s plenty of therapy ahead. Please continue sending your news and updates to his ever-helpful sidekick, Priscilla (805city@gmail.com).

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8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Community Voices

Storm Watch

When Love Isn’t Enough: A Tragedy That Speaks for So Many Families

King Tides and Deluge Carve Into Butterfly Beach by Zach Rosen

he recent and devastating news surrounding the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner – allegedly at the hands of their son, Nick – has left many people stunned, grieving, and searching for answers. According to reports, Nick Reiner has lived with serious mental illness and substance use challenges for many years and had cycled through more than a dozen treatment programs. His parents did what so many families do: they loved him fiercely, sought help relentlessly, and never stopped trying. And still, the unthinkable unfolded. At Mental Wellness Center, we work every day with parents and families who live quietly with this same fear – and often, with the same exhaustion. They love their children deeply. They advocate tirelessly. They drain savings, sit through endless assessments, hospitalizations, relapses, and moments of hope that don’t hold. And too often, they suffer alone. This tragedy reminds us of a painful truth that is difficult to say out loud: no amount of love, money, access, or willpower will always reach the person whose illness is severe, complex, and untreated in the ways it truly requires. Even families with extraordinary resources can find themselves powerless in the face of psychosis, rage, addiction, and despair. Anger fueled by illness does not always respond to compassion. Treatment does not always stick. Recovery is not guaranteed. We must resist the urge to ask what the parents “could have done differently.” That question misunderstands the reality many families face. Many parents are already doing everything – and then some. If there is anything to learn from this heartbreaking moment, it is not that families failed, but sometimes, despite every effort, outcomes remain beyond comprehension. For almost 34 years, Today, my heart is with every parAnnmarie Cameron ent who is loving a child they cannot has shaped the Mental “will” to change, every sibling living Wellness Center’s with grief, and every family wondermission as its CEO, ing if they are one crisis away from expanding housing, tragedy. They deserve compassion, community wellness not judgment. Support, not silence. programs, and mental Mental illness does not discrimihealth education nate – and our response and reaction across local schools. shouldn’t either.

he recent storm delivered a dramatic punch to Montecito’s shoreline, and nowhere was that more visible than at Butterfly Beach. The County of Santa Barbara rainfall sensor near Olive Mill and Hot Springs roads registered 11.40 inches of rain (year-to-date) on December 23; by the time the weather calmed on January 5, it read 20.87 inches — a staggering 9.47 inches of additional rainfall in under two weeks. That sustained deluge, paired with a sequence of winter King Tides, carved into the beach profile, exposing sections of the concrete access infrastructure fronting the Biltmore and Coral Casino. While erosion is expected during intense winter cycles, this year’s combination of rainfall, wave energy, and tidal extremes accelerated the process, leaving beachgoers with a visibly altered shoreline and prompting immediate assessment by public agencies and private property stewards. Butterfly Beach falls under a patchwork of jurisdictions. The County Parks Department manages the public stairway at Channel Drive and Butterfly Lane, but the additional stairways farther east – those adjacent to the Biltmore and the Coral Casino – are privately managed by Ty Warner’s team. According to County Parks staff, inspectors surveyed their facilities following the storm and noted no damage at the publicly managed stairway. However, the privately owned access points experienced impacts tied directly to the wave run-up and weakened sand base. County Parks does not

Erosion from the recent storm left one of the Butterfly Beach stairwells exposed (photo by Peter Hunt)

oversee repairs on these privately controlled structures, though staff indicated they would coordinate as needed to support safety and continuity of access. More broadly, the erosion event has renewed questions about long-term coastal resilience along the Montecito

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10 Montecito JOURNAL

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Features | Jeff Wing Proofreading | Helen Buckley Contributors | Scott Craig, Chuck Graham, Mark Ashton Hunt, Dalina Michaels, Robert Bernstein, Christina Atchison, Leslie Zemeckis, Sigrid Toye, Elizabeth Stewart, Leana Orsua, Jeffrey Harding, Houghton Hyatt

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” – Seneca

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Executive Editor/CEO | Gwyn Lurie gwyn@montecitojournal.net President/COO | Timothy Lennon Buckley tim@montecitojournal.net Managing Editor | Zach Rosen zach@montecitojournal.net MoJo Contributing Editor | Christopher Matteo Connor Art/Production Director | Trent Watanabe Graphic Design/Layout | Stevie Acuña Administrative Assistant | Jessica Shafran VP, Sales & Marketing | Leanne Wood leanne@montecitojournal.net Account Managers | Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Elizabeth Scott, Joe DeMello

Montecito Tide Guide Day

Storm Watch Page 234 234 JOURNAL

by Annmarie Cameron, Mental Wellness Center, CEO

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Published by: Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC Montecito Journal is compiled, compounded, calibrated, cogitated over, and coughed up every Wednesday by an exacting agglomeration of excitable (and often exemplary) expert edifiers at 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108. How to reach us: (805) 565-1860; FAX: (805) 969-6654; Montecito Journal, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108; EMAIL: tim@montecitojournal.net

8 – 15 January 2026

News Bytes

References Available (lots of them!)

“Raising Our Light” Remembrance Ceremony

Dan Encell

The annual Raising Our Light ceremony will be held on the front lawn of MUS this Friday at 6 pm (courtesy photo)

by MJ Staff

s the eighth anniversary of the 1/9 Debris Flow approaches, the January storms served as a stark reminder of the power of natural weather events and the lasting impact they have had on the area. The Montecito community will gather on Friday, January 9, at 6 pm for Raising Our Light, the annual remembrance ceremony honoring the 23 community members lost in the 1/9 Debris Flow. The event will take place on the front lawn of Montecito Union School, where attendees will come together for a short program, remarks, and a moving reading of the victims’ names. As part of the tribute, 23 bells will ring across local churches and schools, and Montecito firefighters will light 23 candles before leading the community in a shared moment of silence. After the ceremony, guests are invited into the MUS courtyard for fellowship and refreshments generously provided by Rosewood Miramar. The blue beacon of light – a familiar sight from past ceremonies – will illuminate the night sky as a symbol of unity, remembrance, and ongoing resilience.

News Bytes Page 234 234

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© 2025 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Each year the searchlight is lit in remembrance of those we lost (courtesy photo)

8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Our Town

Our 2026 New Year Baby, Isla by Joanne A Calitri MPA

W W W. D H R H C O N S T R U C T I O N . C O M (805) 439-9015

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he Birth Center at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital announced the arrival of baby Isla at 4:41 am on Thursday, January 1, 2026, making her the hospital’s first baby born in the new year. Isla is the first child of her parents, Jessica and Laurence. She weighed 9 pounds and measured 20.5 inches at birth. While Isla’s arrival marks an exciting start to the new year, her parents went on record to share a quote from Frank Herbert’s novel Dune: “A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care…” Hospital staff report that the family is doing well and enjoying time together following the baby’s arrival. The Birth Center at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital provides compassionate, family-centered care in a warm and welcoming environment supported by advanced medical services. For babies who need extra support, the Haselton Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a Level III NICU, specially equipped to care for premature or critically ill newborns with round-the-clock monitoring and specialized medical teams.

The 2026 New Year Baby, Isla (courtesy photo)

Families also benefit from access to Cottage Children’s Medical Center, an award-winning regional center offering comprehensive pediatric care, from emergency and intensive care to outpatient services through the Grotenhuis Pediatric Clinics. 411: www.cottagehealth.org/services/womensservices

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The 2026 New Year baby Isla with her parents (courtesy photo)

12 Montecito JOURNAL

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8 – 15 January 2026

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Montecito JOURNAL

On Entertainment

Herman’s Unanticipated Invasion by Steven Libowitz

eter Noone, the lead singer of Herman’s Hermits for more than six decades, has sung “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am” and “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” way too many times to count, not to mention some of the British Invasion band’s astounding run of other hits in the mid-’60s that included “I’m into Something Good,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” and “There’s a Kind of Hush.” Between March-August 1965 Herman’s Hermits spent 24 consecutive weeks in the Top Ten of Billboard’s Hot 100. The thing is, he’s very rarely sung them in Santa Barbara. Noone has shown up occasionally as one of the surprise acts at One805’s September shows, Unity’s Telethon and even an oldies tour at the Chumash. But a full set with the band in a regular concert hall? Not so much. Until now. The Montecito resident whose time in town dates back 40 years fronts Herman’s Hermits for a January 9 show at the Lobero Theatre. It’s a ben-

efit for Notes for Notes, the nonprofit co-founded 20 years ago by Noone’s daughter Natalie – a singer-songwriter in her own right – that provides youth with free access to music instruments, instruction, and recording studios environments, a cause near and dear to his heart. We caught up last week with Herman, err Peter, who still maintains his boyish charm and youthful energy at 78. Q. I have to admit I didn’t realize just how big Herman’s Hermits were in those first couple of years, even though I grew up on the hits. What was that like? A. England is a very small country. So everybody in the British Invasion kind of knew each other. It was nothing for us to do a TV show with The Beatles or the Stones and hang out with them. When we all came to America on different airplanes, everybody had the same experience, really. It was a big rush of British music taking over the American charts. [The key point] is that we were all music enthusiasts. It was a hobby that became our business. It wasn’t like in America where Fabian made a record because he

Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits will have a rare Lobero show (courtesy photo)

else because to tell you the truth, everybody else played those songs better than we did. So we created versions of songs like “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “The End of the World” when they came to us. We were getting paid the same 30 pounds a night that The Beatles made. Eventually we got a following, which got a label interested in us. We were so lucky. When those dates ran out, we came over to America. We didn’t know we were part of the British Invasion until we got to America.

was a good-looking guy who got spotted on the street in Philadelphia. That didn’t happen in England. Everybody in England was playing music. We were exposed to all different kinds of music all the time. If you walked along a street in England, you would hear people playing folk music, rhythm and blues music, country music out of every window. And you could hear other people playing live music anywhere. I even remember the date, August the 6th, 1963, when I was at my grandmother’s, and me and another guy were trying to tune up a guitar and we could hear someone in the distance also tuning a guitar who had an amplifier. So we went out and crossed the field and it was The Beatles tuning up to do a concert. There was top 40 radio, which played everything from pop music to Oklahoma and Sound of Music. We were all part of the same package. But we all were inspired by America.

You guys played the Rose Bowl back in 1965 headlining over a bunch of American bands including The Turtles and Lovin’ Spoonful, with “Henry” topping the charts and you a big teen idol that had the girls screaming. What was that whole experience like for you? The first thing we did in America was in a high school in Eastern Pennsylvania and I remember that when we walked on the stage everybody in the audience, a couple thousand teenagers, tried to come on stage too because nobody thought about security. We couldn’t play. It was crazy. We were naive kids… It seems surreal now. That doesn’t happen to real people.

Let’s back up: How did Herman’s Hermits get started and where did the name come from? I’d taken some acting classes and understood playing a character. We were Pete Novak and the Heartbeats, with Pete being a rock star with a silver jacket who played Buddy Holly songs. Then somebody told me I was nothing like Buddy Holly, but I looked like Sherman from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. So I kept the glasses and became Sherman which got shortened to Herman. The Hermits was a more modern sounding name, like Jerry and the Pacemakers and Freddie and the Dreamers, much more cool. Pretty soon we’d moved from being 14 years old playing in the daytime at the Cavern to the mainstage at night. We realized that the only way we could compete with the other adult bands was to do different songs from everybody

14 Montecito JOURNAL

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” – Nelson Mandela

You’ve had to sing “Henry” a billion times, which is more like two billion because it only has one verse. Plus “Mrs. Brown” and the others. What kept you excited about these songs? Has your relationship with these songs changed over time? The reward is that the audience enjoys it. I keep going because the best time of every day is on stage. I have a very normal life otherwise, because I’m basically under the radar. I can walk up and down State Street,

Entertainment Page 264 264

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I II

MOVING

Iii

Elizabeth’s Appraisals

War II fashion phenomenon, the themed scarf has in fact existed for thousands of years. Queen Nefertiti was depicted wearing a scarf around her slender neck. Greek portraits from 500 BC show men draped in scarves known in Latin as sudarium, cloths used to wipe perspiration. These garments were close relatives of the modern necktie, with an important detour through 17th-century Croatia, where officers wore silk scarves denoting rank. Croatian mercenaries brought the style to France in the 18th century, where it became known as the cravate, derived from the French word for “Croat.” During the French Revolution, patriots wore tricolor scarves. On his Egyptian campaign from 1798 to 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte collected silk Egyptian scarves for Josephine. Meanwhile, in the Scottish town of Paisley, weavers adapted Middle Eastern motifs into wool scarves for British women. These designs were exported throughout Europe and the United States in the late 19th century. Scarves have also served as important liturgical vestments and academic insignia, as well as themed accessories for Oddfellows and Foresters, football fans, and Boy Scouts. The modern world of themed scarves was transformed by a landmark Hermès design, Jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches, introduced in 1937 by the second generation of the Hermès family. Founder Thierry Hermès, born in 1801 and deceased in 1878, was a saddler and harness maker serving the courts of Napoleon III and Queen Victoria. The company later expanded into equipage, including trunks, bags, jockey silks, and handbags with patented zipper clasps. Under the second generation, colorful jockey blouses evolved into women’s scarf squares. Subsequent designs depicted French soldiers on horseback or in military dress, printed on China silk using as many as 43 screens, one for each color, to achieve their remarkable palette. I am proud to say I own half a dozen Hermès scarves acquired from thrift stores. Hermès International has remained under family control and, since 2013, has been led by sixth-generation Executive Chairman Axel Dumas. My client’s Mexican souvenir scarf is valued at approximately $40 on the nostalgia market. A fine vintage Hermès scarf, by contrast, can command prices in the thousands.

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y client, a collector of authentic Hermès Carré Foulard 90 cm silk twill, hand-colored scarves, frames many of them on her walls. Those not on display are kept in their distinctive slim orange boxes. By the mid-20th century, Hermès scarves were favored by figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, and Grace Kelly. When my client recently sent me a photograph of a themed, not-so-politically-correct 1950s Tijuana souvenir scarf, she asked about the history of themed scarves. While Hermès represents the crown jewel of her collection, my client is also a devoted collector of vintage souvenir scarves. Pictured here is her 1950s rayon example from Tijuana, embellished with raised glitter. From the sublime to the ridiculous. I married a Brit in 1979, and as a wedding shower gift my very posh British mother-in-law, who always wore a silk square knotted beneath her chin, gave me a Jacqmar silk scarf featuring a Toulouse-Lautrec Moulin Rouge image. Until researching this piece, I did not realize that early 20th-century Londoners Jack and Mary Lyons, known as Jac-Mar, were responsible for wartime British political advertising, propaganda, and souvenir scarves. Their influence stemmed in part from their association with Clementine Churchill, Winston Churchill’s wife, for whom they designed a World War II Royal Air Force scarf titled Happy Landings.

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16 Montecito JOURNAL

Hermès silk in all its colored glory

A 1950s Tijuana souvenir scarf

Jacqmar propaganda scarves quickly gained popularity. By 1942, British Vogue depicted slogan scarves as a fashionable wartime staple among prominent figures. France, long the leader in luxury accessories since Hermès introduced its first silk scarf in 1937, was occupied by Nazi forces beginning in June 1940. This disruption created space for a British design alternative. Jacqmar scarves featured wartime slogans such as “Salvage Your Rubber!,” “Switch Off That Light!,” “Free France,” and “Welcome American Forces in London.” Jacqmar sourced silk from repurposed wartime parachutes. When silk was scarce, headscarves were produced in crepe or rayon and accented with metallic glitter, as seen in the postwar Tijuana souvenir scarf. Instead of fine hand-rolled hems, these more affordable scarves were machine-hemmed and sold as colorful, inexpensive advertising pieces, distinct from the costly and finely finished Jacqmar silk scarves. During the 1940s and early 1950s, silk scarves became symbols of female solidarity and frugality. Campaigns such as Rosie the Riveter prominently featured headscarves worn by women working in factories. “Cover Your Hair” functioned as a propaganda message, since long hair posed a danger around machinery and women were urgently needed on the shop floor. What we often think of as a World

“Everything is possible, even the impossible.” – Mary Poppins

Elizabeth Stewart, PhD is a veteran appraiser of fine art, furniture, glass, and other collectibles, and a cert. member of the AAA and an accr. member of the ASA. Please send any objects to be appraised to Elizabethappraisals@ gmail.com

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Montecito JOURNAL

Spirituality Matters

Curator’s Choice

The Power and Potential of Peace Sticks

aniel Giraud Elliot was the preeminent American ornithologist of the late 19th century. He was a founder of the American Museum of Natural History and later served as curator of zoology at the Field Museum in Chicago. Using his personal fortune, he published lavishly illustrated books on birds and animals. The illustrations were executed first by Elliot himself and later by the renowned wildlife artist Joseph Wolf. Mastering the medium of lithography, Elliot used it to capture the essential character of his subjects. Drawing with a lithographic crayon, he created soft, expressive lines that suggested movement. His lavish publications were among the last of their kind, appearing as the era of grand illustrated natural history was drawing to a close.

by Steven Libowitz

here’s something entirely appropriate about the upcoming Peace Sticks workshop taking place near Kids’ World in Alameda Park. That’s because the practice puts partners together to silently toss the painted sticks back and forth in various combinations that highlight connection through movement and play – something with which kids are quite familiar – and cultivates as well the intuitive sense of just doing it, that spontaneity adults seem to lose more of with every advancement in “maturity.” Peace Sticks promote an instant connection that defies explanation or even a need to understand, producing an interpersonal exchange that becomes both highly intuitive and mesmerizingly meditative with minutes. That was my experience when I encountered Peace Sticks at Lucidity more than a decade ago, with the simple act of just tossing sticks with changing partners; a personal Peace Sticks inauguration that was so profound it remains in my muscle and emotional memory to this day. The practice of passing the handcrafted sticks created a sense of flow and harmony that lasted well past the full Lucidity Festival weekend. That’s partly due to the shared intention of the practice; no judgment of self or others. The participants’ constancy

BEFORE

Discover your playful presence with Peace Sticks (courtesy photo)

of gentle collaboration leaves no time for critical thinking to settle in and take over. “There’s no space for fear about how you’re doing,” explained facilitator Shane Rilling at the time. “It’s just pure presence, because you’re playing continuously. Once you start, you just keep throwing the sticks even if they fall. So, eventually the mind will let go, because you’re not stopping to evaluate. It’s not a mental process. Life just knows how to do it. We simply let our native intelligent force move our bodies in the best way possible.”

Spirituality Page 274 274

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“A sunrise is God’s way of saying, ‘Let’s start again’.” – Todd Stocker

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8 – 15 January 2026

In Memory of Roger Cass Jan 13, 1939 - Dec 10, 2025

Loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, & coach As a teenager attending Midnight Mass at Mt. Carmel Church in the 1980s, I remember singing the carol “What Child Is This?” and its haunting lyric, “the silent word is pleading.” Amid the noise of the holidays, it offered a reminder that love, grace, and power often work quietly, through deeds rather than declarations. Our Dad, Roger Cass, who passed away on December 10, embodied that silent word. You may not have heard of him, but in his own way he helped shape Montecito and Santa Barbara into the welcoming community admired around the world. When he moved his family of six children to Montecito in 1977, the town was very different. Kids played ball near Crane School and rode their bikes to the Miramar gift shop to buy candy, teenagers explored the ruins of the Bacon Estate and hung out at Hammonds meadow, and Jonathan Winters told jokes outside Baskin-Robbins on Coast Village. In that year, Roger Cass moved his growing family of six children into an old house, “Boscobel”, on San Leandro Lane. Despite having emigrated to California only a few years earlier (the result, he said, of having heard “California Dreaming” on the radio during a rainy business trip in New York), our Dad had already accomplished a great deal. Born in Yorkshire England, Roger was the only child of Ruby Oxtoby and Ronald Cass, an RAF pilot killed in World War II. Gifted and driven, he earned a scholarship to Cambridge University, where he studied history under renowned scholar J. H. Plumb. He left Cambridge fluent in multiple languages, but his impact there extended well beyond academics, organizing anti-Apartheid efforts, staging early rock concerts (including one by the future Pink Floyd), competing in track and field, and playing cricket alongside Tom Stoppard. Sport remained his great love. After emigrating to California, Roger devoted himself to youth athletics, founding Ventura County’s first CYSA All-Star soccer team and later coaching the Santa Barbara Gladiators. During the 1980s, he led multiple teams to regional and state championships, including competition at the Rose Bowl. One former player wrote after his passing: “He brought everyone together to do their best. Strict, clever, and resourceful. A great man with a tremendous heart.” His players were his family, this extended to buying cleats for those who needed them. Roger later became national statistician for youth track, working with USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic Committee. He also opened his home to local and international youth teams, creating a culture of inclusion, effort, and quiet ambition. Alongside his volunteer work, Roger built a successful economic research firm, Cass Research Associates. A 2001 Fast Company cover story called him “The Last Optimist,” noting his flawless record in predicting major economic events. His clients included the Ford Foundation, Harvard Management, and the United Nations. Yet his proudest legacy was not professional. He left a high-paying investment career to spend more time with family and community. He never measured friendships by status or politics, never sought credit for his generosity, and never saw himself as a victim, despite early loss and hardship. A proud American citizen, he was deeply devoted to Santa Barbara. His kindness was quiet but constant: housing a Vietnamese refugee family from Camp Pendleton, donating anonymously to schools, helping struggling families, and opening his home to anyone in need. He lived by the principle that good deeds need no audience. Roger could be demanding and formidable, more prophet than saint, but he was balanced by the love of his wife Jean, his partner of 62 years, who anchored their family of six with grace and humor. When school tuition overwhelmed them, he sold his home and prized possessions so his children could continue their education. A saying goes that grief is love with nowhere to go. But our love has somewhere to rest, in the memory of a man who gave generously, led quietly, and lived fully. The silent word. A service will be held at the Santa Barbara Cemetery Chapel Friday January 9th at 2:30pm with a gathering following to share memories of Roger at Rusty’s on 232 W. Carrillo St. from 4:30-7:30pm. We welcome Roger’s friends to attend both. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to The Parkinsons Foundation or the ASPCA to honor Roger and all the dogs he rescued in his lifetime. We will miss him deeply and keep him forever in our hearts. Obituary prepared by Roger’s wife and six children.

8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

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20 Montecito JOURNAL

Sweet SYR Starts

A New Year and Mellow Reflections at the Ranch by Zach Rosen

ellow. That seemed to be the word used most frequently when I asked friends and peers about their New Year’s Eve. Other years have seen glittering, largely silly, soirées that wrap with a costumed walk to East Beach as the year’s first sun rises. And sure, I had some friends raging in the rain this year, but mellow is what I sought to usher in 2026. With that pre-NYE resolve, a dinner with my dad at San Ysidro Ranch seemed to match the intended mood for the final meal of 2025. There was still plenty of glitter as the walkway to the storied Stonehouse was lined with its holiday flair. It may have been raining outside but the lights overhead brought the sensation of stars filling a clear night sky. Couples and groups bounced by in holiday frolic as we entered the inviting masonry of the Stonehouse. Sitting at a window-side table, we were welcomed by a waiter holstered with blinis and dishing out caviar with the ease of a card dealer. The night started with the honeysuckle sparkle of PerrierJouët and those beloved pearls of flavor embodying the sea. While the lobster ravioli my dad ordered may have been the better follow up to the caviar, I opted for the crisp comfort of pork belly. Braised in soy and topped with pickled shallots, the salty snap accented the intricate layers of contentment in pork form. Earthy choy sum and the inherent sweetness of a carrot purée helped put the dish to rest. Each of the four courses came with their own highlights, yet it was the carpaccio that stood out to us both. A bed of edible flowers and mixed greens sat atop the crimson slices of venison and thin, marbled rounds of Périgord truffles. Crumbles of salt delicately dotted the dish like a motif. As rain gently flecked the window, each bite brought a thoughtful reflection to the year and moment. The dish embodied the nuanced layers of emotion that a whole year can bring… rich and meaty underneath, moments of bitter crunch, and the dash of color and flowers foretold by the current storm and emerging spring. The main course brought buttery yet lean bites of a Japanese Miyazaki A5 striploin. A swirl of truffle pommes purée soaked up the experience with braised asparagus, a Scotch quail egg “Don’t pass on your passions to settle in the stale normality. Endure. Strive. Ensure.” – Anthony Liccione

Pork belly and warm vibes in SYR’s Stonehouse for the New Year (courtesy photo)

bringing its own unique texture to the ensemble. The rack of lamb was a savory dream; an herb-crusted crunch enfolding each pink, tender morsel. Small pieces of a hearty lamb sausage and stacks of purple potato pavé brought structure to the dish, au jus produced from morels melding the flavors together. All years should end on a sweet note and even with the rain, it was hard not to feel the sunny disposition of the classic SYR Meyer Lemon Meringue Parfait. Sweet, bright joy is found in each bite as you delve deeper into the glass, digging your spoon through the strata of soft meringue, lemon curd, and ice cream. While I was seeking the softer side of the New Year, there was still plenty of spirited merriment surrounding San Ysidro Ranch. As we walked through the pitter-patter of rain to our Lyft, we could hear the ornamented cheer coming from The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel. Some years are best begun not with a bang, but with a comforting hug… and in that mellow glow of the Ranch, the year ahead felt ready to be met with open arms, but mostly a full belly.

Zach Rosen is the Managing Editor of the Montecito Journal. He also enjoys working with beer, art, and life.

8 – 15 January 2026

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8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Local News

Montecito Fire Chief Neels to Retire Soon Montecito Fire Chief Neels (left) presenting emergency response stats at a Montecito Association meeting. On the right is SB County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig.

story and photo by Joanne A Calitri

s part of my weekly reporting on the Montecito Fire Protection District, particularly with an active rainy season underway, I noticed a banner on the district’s website advertising an opening for a new fire chief. When I wrote about the vacancy for News Bytes, I reached out to Fire Chief David Neels to confirm what many along Coast Village Road had already begun to suspect. He replied, as he always does, in less than 24 hours. In his email, Chief Neels wrote, “I will be retiring at the end of March. I have had the opportunity to serve as a firefighter and first responder since 1989 and have made the choice to retire.” Chief Neels was sworn into the Montecito Fire Protection District in March 2023 and immediately set to work, shouldering a workload that would challenge even the most seasoned administrator. In addition to the core responsibilities of the job, he regularly attended and reported on district matters at monthly Montecito Association meetings; modernized fire prevention education for audiences ranging from schoolchildren to adults; and oversaw the creation and updating of the Montecito Fire website to provide the public with timely alerts and educational materials. He also scheduled and expanded local chipping projects (held six times annually) including the use of grazing goats as a natural method of vegetation management; collaborated with community partners to address contentious local issues such as the Hot Springs Trail; established Friday Fire Family awards to recognize his team; and worked closely with fire districts across the state to address shared challenges. Much of this work, as colleagues note, occurred quietly and behind the scenes. His leadership set a standard for his department and for the community it serves. Chief Neels will make an official announcement in the coming Joanne A Calitri weeks, and a formal interview is is a professional planned. As he prepares for retireinternational ment, the community has an opporphotographer and tunity to recognize not only an journalist. Contact accomplished fire chief, but also a her at: artraks@ devoted husband and father, and to yahoo.com wish him well in the years ahead.

How to Rediscover Intrinsic Motivation In the New Year

new year often comes with new intentions, new goals, and new calendars waiting to be filled. But before jumping into resolutions or performance-based productivity, it might be worth pausing to ask a deeper question: What’s actually driving you? Psychologists generally group motivation into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is powered by curiosity, joy, or a sense of purpose. It’s what drives people to learn a new language, paint for fun, or train for a marathon just because it feels good. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, comes from outside sources. Think things like praise, rewards, approval, or social pressure. External incentives can be useful, especially when they offer structure or accountability. But over time, if extrinsic motivation becomes the main engine, the results can include burnout, disconnection, and even physical symptoms. It’s easy to assume that we always know what we want. But cultural conditioning, family expectations, and social comparison can cloud our judgment. Sometimes we chase goals without realizing they weren’t truly ours to begin with. To realign with intrinsic motivation, start with an “energy audit.” Aura E. Martinez, an empowerment coach, recommends tracking which activities leave you feeling energized and which leave you drained. Over time, this simple practice reveals patterns, and those patterns point toward what actually matters. Even when the desire to shift is clear, letting go of external motivation can be difficult, particularly if it’s tied to the expectations of people we care about. The key, Martinez explains, is self-compassion. We don’t have to overhaul our lives overnight. Start small. If people-pleasing at work is a challenge, maybe that means logging off at a reasonable hour once a week instead of staying late every day. These micro-boundaries help build confidence and self-trust. If part of your New Year intention is to make decisions that come from within, here are a few starting points: – Name the source. – Do a values check. – Take baby steps. – Set boundaries gently but firmly. While the New Year often comes with a push to be more, do more, and accomplish more, it can also be a time for slowing down and tuning in. Taking time to reassess what drives us is part of creating a more intentional, meaningful year.

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“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

8 – 15 January 2026

News Bytes (Continued from 11 11))

Storm Watch (Continued from 10 10))

The event is organized by the Montecito Community Partnership Team, including local schools, Montecito Fire, Bucket Brigade, Cottage Health, and Behavioral Wellness. KEYT will livestream the ceremony for those who cannot attend, and members of the Community Wellness Team will be on-site offering support for anyone who may need it as the community comes together to remember, reflect, and heal.

and Santa Barbara shoreline. While each winter brings episodic sand loss, the intensity of recent storm seasons has drawn attention to regional sediment management planning, including the County-led BeachSMART program. Be a c h S M A RT ( Se d i m e n t Management and Resilience Tools) is designed to improve how Santa Barbara County understands and manages sediment across watersheds and the coast. The program focuses on natural processes, nature-based solutions, and long-term strategies to maintain beach health and shoreline stability. Its work includes studying existing sediment pathways, evaluating potential new sediment sources and receiver sites, and exploring alternative management techniques that could bolster beaches during increasingly volatile storm years. Local agencies, technical advisors, environmental groups, tribal partners, and community organizations all contribute to this effort, which is supported by the State Coastal Conservancy and led by the County Flood Control District. Though still in progress, BeachSMART represents an important shift toward coordinated, region-wide planning for beaches like Butterfly, where seasonal erosion is predictable but increasingly dramatic. In the immediate aftermath of the latest storm, County Supervisor Roy Lee acknowledged both the scale of the weather event and the swift response underway. “The heavy rain combined with the King Tide caused some damage to the steps at Butterfly Beach,” Lee said. “County staff are already aware of the situation, and we will do whatever we can to help the Biltmore team. Hopefully, the repairs can be made quickly and safely. In the meantime, I want to remind folks to use caution near the damaged area while this gets fixed.” Ty Warner’s team mobilized quickly. As the MJ reached out, a bulldozer was already on site at Butterfly with

Montecito Fire Protection District Seeks Fire Chief The Montecito Fire Protection District is taking applications for a Fire Chief. Responsibilities and job requirements are posted on the website, see 411.

411: www.montecitofire.com/fire-chief

Carp-Summerland FPD Chief Retires The Carp-Summerland Fire Protection District announced the retirement of Fire Chief Robert Kovach, who has served 15 years with them for a total of 40 years in fire service. Kovach’s press release statement, “This career has built a bond and sense of camaraderie with the men and women of the fire service that will be truly missed. What began as a profession became a second family, one that has left a lasting mark on my life and soul with pride. It has been an honor to serve alongside such dedicated professionals within a premier agency that consistently strives for excellence while embracing an innovative vision for the future. My message to those continuing this work is simple: put family first, go confidently in the direction of your dreams, and passionately live the life you have imagined.”

Tecolote Hosts Local Author On Saturday, Jan. 17, from 3-4 pm, Montecito’s storied Tecolote Bookshop, now entering its 101st year of operation, will host a book launch and reading by local author Fran Davis of her historical fiction novel Red Summer. A tale of love, betrayal, and revenge in the McCarthy era, the novel portrays a small California town caught up in the fear and paranoia of the Cold War period – a theme that resonates with today’s atmosphere of divisiveness and suspicion.

Underwater Parks Day & Sea Center The SB Museum of Natural History’s Sea Center is joining the celebrations of “Underwater Parks Day” on January 17 with free admission for all. The event is Red Summer is Fran Davis’ first novel from 10 am to 3 pm at the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf. It features their current exhibits, ocean educators, conservation organizations and community partners. No reservations are required.

411: www.sbnature.org/visit/calendar/

SB Botanic Garden’s Centennial Year Starts This year is the SB Botanic Garden’s 100th Anniversary. Kicking off their events list is a symposium by entomologist Doug Tallamy on January 31 from 10 am to 1 pm. The event is part of the garden’s annual Conservation Symposium presented by the Nakashima-Rennie Family. Titled “Planting with Purpose,” it will present how public and private landscapes can be imagined as both beautiful and ecological. Tallamy will be awarded for his work with the 2026 Honorable John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Award. Free, though registration is required. 411: https://sbbotanicgarden.org/classes-events/symposium-2026/

Explore Ecology’s Maker Space Workshops Start the year with a Junk Journaling workshop and keep warm by making a Quick Knit Hat. There are dozens of fun workshops to keep you occupied during these rainy winter months. Registration required.

construction crews working on remediation. A representative for Ty Warner noted that while the lower access steps sustained recent damage, they were temporarily exposed due to the storm-driven sand loss typical of winter months. “Today, Ty Warner generously covered the cost of a professional crew to remove broken concrete segments at Butterfly Beach, ensuring the area remains safe and accessible for the community,” the representative said. “As is typical during winter months – especially in years with heavier storm activity – sand naturally erodes from beaches and then returns in the spring and summer through seasonal coastal processes. The lower steps at Butterfly Beach have not been damaged; they have simply been exposed by winter erosion and are expected to be reburied naturally as sand levels rebuild in the coming months. “We appreciate the community’s patience during this seasonal cycle and the proactive efforts taken today to address immediate concerns while respecting the natural rhythms of our coastline.”

Ty Warner hired a construction crew to begin work on the exposed stairwell (courtesy photo)

M SHERIFF’S BLOTTER POST Alarm Pulls Driver Over / 300 block San Ysidro Road Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 09:34 hours A Montecito resident was driving by the Montecito Union School when an SUV approached from behind, activated bright white lights and requested over a loudspeaker that the subject pull over. Subject complied. A white male exited the SUV wearing light brown clothing (non-tactical) and told the driver he appeared to be swerving. The SUV driver identified himself as an employee of “POST.” The POST Alarm System Supervisor in charge of overseeing the Montecito area was contacted. He agreed to conduct an investigation. Follow up to be conducted by patrol.

411: https://exploreecology.org/ 8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Stories Matter

‘All the Little Houses’

today. I like to think she answers the question with a resounding ‘yes.’

‘Dandelion is Dead’

Heartfelt Start to ‘26 by Leslie Zemeckis

he writer of The Hunting Wives, a hit Netflix series, is back with a new snarky suspense, All the Little Houses. May Cobb delivers up her signature dish of cocktail swilling, misbehaving meanies with plenty of action set in the 1980s in East Texas. Expect intrigue, sex, and salacious behavior with a stunning cliffhanger.

om’s life has changed. A 55-year-old lawyer with a wife who cheated on him has been waiting for the day when his last child leaves the nest so he can divorce his wife. The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovitz is a road trip journey putting the reader in Tom’s head as he struggles with middle-aged angst. A moving, life-affirming story about a man looking for his future while contemplating his past – this is a beauty.

them. Sally and Walter are residents of the adult-living community Golden Grove. The two unexpectedly bond over Scrabble. This is a sweet read about friendship, and the fact that one is never too old to let someone new into their life.

‘Opera Wars’

‘The Last Letters of Sally & Walter’

andelion is Dead is the debut for Rosie Storey. After her beloved older sister’s death, Poppy finds her sib’s dating app and contacts a prospective date, pretending to be her dead sister. This one is steeped in sorrow and humor as Poppy continues to grieve for her dead sister. The prose on this is beautiful, the story original and quirky, and I think we can expect a lot from this author in the future.

‘The Rest of Our Lives’

C T

he Last Letters of Sally and Walter by Cammie McGovern is a play on words and the letters that form

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24 Montecito JOURNAL

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8 – 15 January 2026

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“One of the most powerful voices of our time.” Los Angeles Times

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“Drawing on her formidable range of vocal color, DiDonato captures the drama within each song, and across the cycle.” The Guardian (U.K.)

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Joyce DiDonato mezzo-soprano Time for Three Emily – No Prisoner Be Thu, Feb 5 / 7 PM Granada Theatre

Tue, Feb 3 / 7 PM / Hahn Hall Music Academy of The West

Santa Barbara Debut Operatic Royalty in Recital

Juan Diego Flórez tenor Vincenzo Scalera, piano Sat, Feb 7 / 7 PM Lobero Theatre

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu Lobero event tickets can also be purchased at: (805) 963-0761 | www.Lobero.org Granada event tickets can also be purchased at: (805) 899-2222 | www.GranadaSB.org

8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Entertainment (Continued from 14 14)) nobody knows who I am. But on stage, it’s a different story. 100 percent of the people know the words… They’re all in the room to see me and hear these songs, so I have to be much better than they expect. It’s a reward system. When I start a show with “The End of the World,” which was never a single, I look out and see a guy my age hold his wife’s hands because that means something to them. It’s entertainment. It’s show business. I’m not a musician. I’m an entertainer. I never mention anything to do with politics or governments or even sports. I deliver songs that I think people will like. I have no message. But I do think that I have a better pop voice now than I did at 16… I have a great band, so I’m going to keep going as long as I can still do it well. We are actually working-class people, which means we’re only happy when we’re working.

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You really haven’t played full concerts in town. How’d this one happen? Notes for Notes inspired me because they put instruments in kids’ hands and give them a place to play and record. That’s how it began for me. I watched it grow from something really small with old guitars and old amplifiers into what it is today, this massive organization giving kids an opportunity. If you’re in a room with a bunch of kids playing music, you’re not going to be in a gang… Music is a great tool for getting people together. I didn’t know any of the people in Herman’s Hermits before we started the band. We only had one thing in common: liking the same music. Playing is how you get good. Take someone like Jimmy Page. He didn’t have any time for anything else except his guitar. And if you want to be a musician, that’s probably what you should be doing.

With a Little Help from my Friends (and Kids) The other big show in town this week is also not only a benefit, but one that

also supports nonprofits geared toward helping kids. It’s even in the organization’s title: Kids Helping Kids which, as it turns out, is also marking a 20th anniversary. The student-led nonprofit, which was founded in 1982 by thenSan Marcos High School teacher Jamie DeVries as a project in his AP economics class (the pandemic and last year’s Palisades Fire account for the nonprofit’s three missing years) has grown to become a major event that invariably sells out the venue, even after making the leap from the Granada to the Arlington. What makes the concert different is that the entire thing is run by students, from promotion and marketing to all parts of production and financing. “We take what we’ve been taught in the classroom and apply it in real life,” explained Janelle Pryko, CEO of this year’s event, who joined up as a freshman at Providence High School the same year DeVries moved to the school in 2022 and served as stage director for the 2024 concert. “This year’s a bit different because Kids Helping Kids opened it up to schools from all over Santa Barbara to give every kid the opportunity to get involved.” This year’s headliner at the January 10 concert is Anne Wilson, the young country and Christian music star who was born the year KHK was founded. The Lexington, Kentucky native scored instant hits with her debut album My Jesus, whose title track topped Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart while the album scored a Grammy nomination. Wilson’s last album, Rebel, boasted both a country single “Rain in the Rearview” as well as another Christian radio chart-topper called “Strong.” “We’re really excited to have her,” Pryko said. “She was the first artist ever to reach out to us about playing the concert, and after hearing about who she is and how much our community loves her, listening to her music and discover-

This year’s KHK headliner at the January 10 concert is Anne Wilson (photo by Laney Oakes Photography)

ing how she connects with our cause, we realized she’d be perfect.” Also performing is Tyrone Wells, the charismatic singer-songwriter who was the opening act for the Kids Helping Kids event three times between 2009-12. “We’re definitely excited to have him back because he’s been a part of Kids Helping Kids since the beginning and has watched as we’ve grown,” Pryko said. Over the years, KHK has raised more than $3 million, a figure that will grow with the 2026 concert, when proceeds are earmarked for two different organizations. Kingdom Causes Santa Barbara’s anti-human trafficking efforts include local prevention, education, and survivor support initiatives, while Love Light + Melody is a global nonprofit that benefited from KHK students who had seen first-hand the squalid conditions in Nicaragua. The funds raised helped to build an elementary school there, and also provided housing for families living in trash dumps. “We’re partnering with them again to build a high school so that we can continue to impact children there,” Pryko said. “It’s a full circle moment.” The January 10 benefit event will feature songs from two local student duos who won competitions to appear, as well as an opening appearance by Momentum Dance Company, plus student and alumni speakers, live and silent auctions, and a raffle with prizes that include a pair of VIP tickets to a World Cup match in Anaheim, all to augment the fundraising. “We are working to build up momentum again after all of the things that our community has gone through,” Pryko said. “But it was important not to put these causes aside. Whatever we raise will go to helping kids.”

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26 Montecito JOURNAL

Entertainment Page 354 354

Celebrate twenty years of kids running the show (courtesy photo) “The beginning is always today.” – Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

8 – 15 January 2026

Spirituality (Continued from 18 18)) Rilling, now also known as Shine, will co-lead the two-hour Peace Sticks event on January 10 with fellow facilitator Hannah Jo of World Peace Tribe through District 216, the psychedelic social club. Note this is an off-site and non-substance event. Focus will be on the relational benefits of the practice, introducing it as a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness, presence, and authentic human connection. The event ends with an exploration of how enjoying chocolate (from Bee Magic Sacred Chocolate) in a safe and intentional way can complement the Peace Sticks experience, helping to open the mind and enhance the sense of wonder and flow.

Heal with Horses Melissa Costello, certified Equine Facilitated Learning Coach through the HERD Institute and Certified Counselor of Spiritual Psychology through the University of Santa Monica, has scheduled a four-week Sacred Horse Sister Circle as a January journey. The Sacred Horse Sister Circle, which takes place Wednesday afternoons January 14-February 4, is an intimate coaching group limited to four women each week, geared toward creating deep, authentic connection with like-hearted women and the healing presence of horses. Costello and her equine partners work in a private, safe, supportive space where participants will be gently guided to release old wounds, build self-trust, and shift the limiting patterns. The program is valuable for women who are navigating a life transition, seeking clarity, or simply longing for soulful connection. Through guided somatic practices, time with horses on the ground, and sacred circle sharing, participants will leave feeling grounded, open-hearted and more connected to their truth. No horse experience necessary – just a willingness to show up as you are. Full details, other opportunities, and registration information are online at www.healwithhorsessb.com

Burst Through with a 2026 Vision Board Transform intentions into actions at Sunburst Sanctuary’s Vision Board Creative Class to kick off the new year. The lively, hands-on session takes place on Sunday, January 18, when April Juels will offer guidance as you dive into your soul’s desires and play with your creative spirit to visualize your best year yet. All you need is your imagination and a willingness to dream big, get 8 – 15 January 2026

creative, and put together a board to aid in manifesting your 2026 goals in full color. All supplies are provided, including scissors and glue. Select magazine pictures, words, and sayings in putting together your board, although you can bring your own photos and more as well. The vision board becomes a tangible map of your intentions, a daily reminder of your inner desires, and a spark to manifest your own destiny over the year. Visit https://sunburst.org/registration.

‘The Artist’s Way’ still leading the way Julia Cameron had no idea that the book she first self-published in 1990 as Healing the Artist Within would turn into an ongoing global sensation when it was re-published two years later under the title of The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. More than 30 years later, the book and its sequels continue to inspire creatives in every endeavor of life across the country and around the world, from the UK and Japan to Brazil and even the Australian outback – not to mention in classes, meetups, prison groups, and spiritual centers (including Esalen). Elizabeth Gilbert has been quoted as saying that Eat, Pray, Love wouldn’t have happened without The Artist’s Way. Apparently, it’s still pretty popular in town, too. The initial cohort for Michelle Anise’s eight-week course at Yoga Soup slated for Mondays, January 12-March 2 – based on The Artist’s Way and described as a transformative journey of self-discovery designed to cultivate creative flow and inspiration for personal fulfillment – has already sold out. Fortunately, Anise has added a second session for the same dates at 7 pm, limited to just 10 more participants who will likewise receive inspiration, support and accountability in working the simple yet powerful practices. These include Morning Pages (a few pages of stream-of-consciousness writing each day), Artist Dates (weekly solo adventures that spark joy and curiosity), and gentle weekly reflections for tapping into creativity and beyond.

introduces foundational material at the heart of a soul curriculum, exploring interior landscapes to re-enchant our lives, nurture our imagination, honor our longings, welcome our heartbreak, inspire our authentic impulses, remind us of the mythical, and hopefully give us the courage to become more naturally ourselves together and reclaim a sense of meaning and mystery. In the meantime, Slutzky’s ongoing Santa Barbara Land Listening Circles, which has an earlier time of 10 am to noon this month, has its first gathering of 2026 on Sunday January 11. Participants gather in a circle to connect, and share surrounding solo excursions to listen to and attune with nature. Details and registration at www.alexisslutzky.com

Flow, Sit, Sing at the Soup Glen Phillips, the native Santa Barbara singer-songwriter-guitarist who co-founded Toad the Wet Sprocket and has enjoyed a fruitful solo career, started leading community singing events in Montecito and elsewhere back in 2017, eventually holding the call-and-response song circles weekly until passing of the reins to Heather Stevenson a couple of years ago. Now, he’s heading back to Yoga Soup for a pair of collaborative offerings with vinyasa teacher Elyse Grossman that will explore three modes of embodiment, joy, and connection through an all-level vinyasa flow session, a short, seated meditation, and an hour of community singing, sharing the power of song with each other and for each other. Events have been booked for January 30 and April 18.

Visit www.livingconnectedcc.org/nvc-conference.

Back in town and in person, Sorrow’s long-running series of free “Nature and Self-Healing” classes through SBCC EL return at the end of the month, with beginning and intermediate sections. Participants hike for an hour, engage in discussion of self-healing topics such as forgiveness, gratitude or journaling followed by silent meditation before hiking back home. Details at www.chooseconnection.com/natureand-self-healing.

Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage

Visit www.yogasoup.com/events

NVC for All Veteran Santa Barbara-based Nonviolent Communication certified Join Jamie Knee, Petite Wine Traveler, for intimate wine dinners, in home wine tastings, and unforgettable wine journeys inspired by her travels through the worlds most exquisite vineyards. Uncork your curiosity- book your next personalized wine experience today.

‘Landscape of the Soul’ and Listening to the Land Alexis Slutzky launches a new 10-week in person group course of song, poetry, writing prompts, small and full group sharing and ritual practices starting on Tuesday, January 13, at Yoga Soup. Subtitled “Gestures Toward a Living Culture,” the course

trainer Rodger Sorrow hosted the annual NVC Conference right here in town through SBCC’s Extended Learning program. After both the pandemic and a couple of years in L.A., the conference is now a fully online event, with the 19th annual event slated for January 16-18. The conference features 18 sessions from 15 certified NVC trainers, including Sorrow and neuroscience educator and Your Resonant Self author Sarah Payton, as well as participants from all over the world, with workshop titles that range from “Loving Conflict in Partnership” and “How to Take Responsibility without Blame” to “The Gift of Gossip.”

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Montecito JOURNAL

Editorial (Continued from 5) character and I love movies. And I cleaned it up and I sold it for a lot of money; so we thought, “Yeah, it’s a done deal.” And it turned out it wasn’t. And the director that was going to direct it, this is going to slam, but he went on to choose three different stories to work on. So, it was very disappointing. But the greatest thing was it got the top editor in the world (now at Scribner) and his team saying things any writer in the world would want to hear. “There’s a kind of genius to this writer…” “I haven’t seen a character that I like more than this since Lonesome Dove.” I mean, it just went on and on. GL. When you started writing this story, were you thinking, “I want to write a book that could be a movie?” MA. I always think about movies. I was in the film business for a long time as a documentary maker and an advertising film guy in Alaska and Seattle, and worked for the big ad agencies in New York. And it took years to finally get out of all that stuff and begin the work I felt most deeply about. GL. Have you always wanted to be a writer? MA. I started wanting to write as a child early on. All the factors that play into that are fascinating to me, like where the hell does this desire come from? And it comes from grandmothers and mothers and early books I loved deeply. The problem is I was really slow and stupid with words, and I had serious dyslexia. Years later I remember reading Keats in boarding school and was just stunned anyone could write so beautifully, move me so deeply, beyond mere story. It added to the fire of wanting to make a world from mere words. GL. I don’t know that you can put those two sentences together. I was “really stupid” and “I remember reading Keats.” MA. Well, I had a lot of learning challenges. I was a born artist, so I take little credit for that, but the writing has been this hard journey. It’s just been blood, sweat, and tears for a lot of years. And something happened, and it has to do, I believe, with humility. For me it has to do with what Joseph Campbell saw as yielding. And so I believe writers who become too vain about their work miss a deeper part of the souls of their characters that is a waste to me. But a deeper insight to characters ennobles a reader, or moves them to a deeper truth. The difference to me between writers and the other arts is if I go into talking about the sea, which my next book is hugely about, (and Padaro Lane), you don’t just go into the ocean and say, “Wow, it’s really beautiful, and blue and big,” and walk away from it. You’re transformed by it because something allowed you to feel it deeply enough in all its values to find a place in a reader’s heart and imagination. And then it’s a question of the greater mysteries. Why? Why do fish not breathe air? Why does this person I’m writing about mean so much to me, enough to share this with another soul? What do they all bring to the world that’s worth spending years writing about? Keats was the guy that I read in boarding school and actually the professor thought I cheated because it was such a good essay and I had to go back a year because I’ve had trouble with words all my life – when the truth was I was so taken with the work that an innocence pushed through. So I persisted at writing. I tried to write like my favorite novelists but it wouldn’t happen. And then there was a period where life changed. Age brought a little willingness and I learned how to find what I had experienced, and weave it honestly into the parts that wrote themselves. I was a bit of a delinquent when I was young, and lost. And then I found something called substance. I had failed for so long yet persisted, and one day I knew all the pieces of the world I loved that I could not shape or define or honor began to appear, and I knew they were more than merely dramatic – they were true. And all I cared most deeply about – and loved or disliked about people – began to appear, and stick, because I knew it was true. GL. You grew up in Santa Barbara? MA. Yeah, we grew up on Padaro Lane. Try to explain that to people and it’s like $24 a month for the shack we lived in; and the ocean, ferocious, 40 feet out in front of you. So it’s paradise. All my brothers and sister and I mourn it. GL. How did that beginning inform this story? MA. I was a mystic as a kid. I had a faith that was absurd. If I talked to God or the Gods or whatever the hell is up there, stuff came true. If I wanted to see this girl or meet this girl or have a date with this girl in second grade, I would meet her. If I want to play on the football team, it would happen. So it was a strange faith that was innocent because when you’re like that, you don’t know that that’s unusual. And everything about the ocean is so overwhelming, everything about that area is so overwhelming. So, childhood was very magical until it broke up, until it all fell apart and we all went east.

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We had a different life and we had a wonderful new stepfather that kind of lifted us up and said, “Look over the wall. There’s a big world there and if you want to be in it, you’re going to have to work and learn how to study and not get in trouble with the police, etc.” So, life changed. And then there was the opportunity to learn, the mechanics and the language and the grammar. And there were a couple people that were just immensely influential in my life who helped me pay attention to grammar. I’ve never been able to spell. It’s kind of hilarious.

“You will remember this novel – its hero and characters and scenes – for a long time. A big-hearted story of desperation and courage, crime and redemption, love and loss – it is as entertaining as it is moving.” – Fannie Flagg, Author of Fried Green Tomatoes

GL. Were you dyslexic? MA. Quite. And none of that stuff is important except, depending on the hunger, we all find ways to get around these things, short, tall, skinny, all these things. And I had a lot of help with that stepfather, and I had the great gift of a grandmother and my mother and literature and Bill Watling, who was one of the original owners of Tecolote. He gave me my first book, and it was Western, and it was poetry, and it was called Sun and Saddle Leather. And to this day, I can remember the poems. I can remember the words. And that stuff ignites in your head. My grandmother gave me the early fairy tales. And I think when you’re a child, especially, and nothing’s referential, it’s just all brand new, and so you don’t judge it. And you leave the earth when you find stories that are magnificent and characters that are magnificent. And then boarding school began with The Once and Future King. To find out you could read a book that is beyond brilliant and big and thick and laugh out loud, in study hall! This serious heavy-duty book. Same with Queequeg, [in Moby Dick] jumping into bed. So literature has been a very, very important part of my life. I just never thought I’d be able to work hard enough and get lucky enough to create any of it. GL. Your artistic endeavors have consisted of a lot of different chapters, right? MA. They have, but look, if I make a documentary, like the one I get awards for, you win stuff for those things and you get the people who call up, the mayor calls up and he says, “God, this is an unbelievable documentary. It’s wonderful.” And it’s like, great. So I make a documentary and it’s like, “Okay, you know the business.” So you assemble everything, you get it together, you get the casting, you get this, and then you try to go as deep as you can to pull out what you need. The thing about writing to me is there’s an integrity to it. And I’ve done two dozen blue-collar jobs. But when you find something that truly matters to you, it’s like you’ll give up everything in the world to do that. And writing is just so different than all the other stuff because if I was trying to write with any integrity or beauty – its demand was bigger than all those things to me. Way bigger than my Emmy win. I did not possess the skills it takes to make movies, no matter how much I loved them. I fell in love with books. I wound up meeting Tom McGuane and his tribe of writers in Livingston, Montana, and it was over. Everything else was over. And then it took 10 to 20 years to learn how to write with skill and integrity and heart. GL. So, you grew up in Santa Barbara, on Padaro. MA. Then we went east into the snow. GL. At the sea, then you went east. But your early years were here. And you talk about the things you love and the things you care about, like horses, and the ballet, Balanchine, racism, the struggle of Indigenous people, depression, economic disparity, and films… it’s all in this book, right? MA. Well, there’s a man that wants to honor a maligned nobody, which I love. To me, that’s what the book is. Creek’s integrity – I mean, he goes through everything you got to go through to honor a cripple who he loved. And I love that, and I love that it’s difficult and deeply costly for him, and was for me. But there’s a theme in there, which is this language that cares about the least among us. It’s so funny because

Editorial Page 304 304

“The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings.” – Dave Weinbaum

8 – 15 January 2026

“Last Light in Paradise is drop-dead perfect. In all my years of investigating for the United States and the President–this is the kind of novel you go to for truth, heart, and the deep pleasure of a master storyteller.” – Richard C. LaMagna Former Director of Counternarcotics White House National Security Council and former Deputy Chief of Intelligence DEA HQ

– Fannie Flagg

Now available at Chaucer’s Books, Tecolote Book Shop and Godmothers

8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Editorial (Continued from 28 28))

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nobody on earth hates fascism more than me. And we’re in that period in the world kind of. And the idea of the least among us and caring about the least among us is not only noble, it’s not only Christian, Jewish, Islamic etc., it’s kind of in the deepest roots of most good religions, and it’s above all implicit in our souls. Look at children. I’m not a great fan of the human race. I’m not a great fan of the concept of evolution and what we are and what we come from, but there is this odd possibility of being decent and kind and noble, stuff like that. And it’s in this book because that matters to me, and I’ve lived a lot of that. I was an equestrian. Do you know Owen Cathcart, do you know who he was when he was here? He was England’s greatest pilot, quite literally, and came over here and he ran the polo club and stuff. I was a little kid, and I went over and said, “I can ride your horse.” He said, “That’s a lot of pluck.” And I said, “No, I can ride your horse.” So he gave me Mona Mi, who’s the finest horse I’ve ever experienced that wasn’t a quarter horse. And I knew how to ride it. And it’s kind of like the art. I knew how to do the painting, and it pleases me. I think that the gift is the people that push you a little bit. Cathcart, Bill Russel, Art Larkin, Mother Teresa, Thoreau, Herman Melville – they all taught me excellence. I had a gorgeous horse, but I was born to love a horse. I had sports, but I was granted an education that brought me to the Celtics and College. There are influences, but it is just releasing what is just in us. I knew what to do. But where does that come from? Writing is hard work; but in the soul of what you’re writing about, eventually you begin to write something that matters, something that touches the heart, something, God forbid, that changes prejudice.

MAGAZINE

“Last Light in Paradise is a savory read set in the dreamscape of 1934 Santa Barbara. Still reeling from the Great Depression, a burgeoning moviemaking empire has triggered hope, jobs, and greed. An irresistible protagonist named Creek unspools Armour’s crime story. Whip-sharp and easy on the eye, Creek leans into the seemingly accidental drowning death of a friend. Armour’s whodunit is a love story, a mystery, and a redemption tale. It’s edgy, seductive, and fun. Read it.” – A.L. Bardach, PEN Award winning journalist & author of Cuba Confidential and Without Fidel

GL. I would say human dignity and truth, right? That we all deserve, every human being deserves their story to be told in a truthful way, right? MA. Yeah, that’s good. GL. Even discovering the truth about Pony’s life, but also his death. Which is a part of his story. MA. A guy that shows up without a head on the beach below a mansion… GL. Is it Bellosguardo that you’re talking about? And that’s where Ranny, the reclusive ballerina lives. MA. And she’s damaged, and we don’t know why for a long time, but she’s brave and beautiful. What is that line? Oh, Rilke. “…perhaps all of our demons are dragons who only once want us to be beautiful and brave, to help everything that’s helpless, that wants help from us.” Kind of cool.

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30 Montecito JOURNAL

GL. Okay. So this is the first novel that the Montecito Journal has ever published because we really believe in it, so much so that we optioned the rights to it because not only is this a seriously good book and a really fun read, but this could not be a more Santa Barbara story. What do you hope for? MA. Well, the first thing is, I really appreciate you driving this, big time… This is a rich town, rich in stuff, rich with writers, not all just wealthy people. And I would love to see you move forward with this and become a publishing entity in the world. And then what I would love is for this to all unfold with the integrity, as a movie with

“Beginnings are always messy.” – John Galsworthy

8 – 15 January 2026

the right casting. Creek’s a wonderful character. And I think Ranny’s wonderful. I mean, she’s so vulnerable and I fell in love with her. I mean, I fall in love with these people. I have so little sense of authorship. Literally, it’s like I can look at it and go, “God, look what just happened.” I would love to see people fall in love with the book. It’s not Dostoevsky. It’s not in the high airy sky and clouds of great literature, but it’s a hell of a fun book. And I think it has integrity in it. And if you fall in love with the characters, you fall in love with character. I mean, I don’t think there’s a more interesting person on the planet than the lawyer in this thing, Chumsky and his wife. I mean, I don’t know anybody funnier and sweeter and more irascible than that guy and his wife. Skinny little thing coming out here and saying, “Stop. He’s a wonderful man. Serve him.” I love characters and I’ve loved them all my life, but I do fall in love with nearly all of them. And I would love to see Creek honored by somebody that isn’t like the prior director that wasted it for 10 years. Somebody who really understands what can happen once it becomes a movie. I don’t know what’ll happen as a novel, because I’m so close to that. But movies, I’m never, ever wrong. I’m telling you, it’s uncanny. I can tell where a movie’s going to go within 20 minutes of the movie. I can tell the depth, the integrity, and I’m almost never wrong. If the right director gets this, if the right writer understands it, and if the right ... There’s only about six or ten actors I would believe as Creek, his way of barely hiding heartbreak, and then everybody else is gravy, it’ll be enormous. It’ll be a big, good movie. The thing that feels so rewarding is, it’s genuine. It’s not bullshit. It’s not to impress. It emanates out of the characters and out of the story. And I suppose stories are given to you too. And our part is to sweat blood for a few years to make them honest and beautiful. I mean, we can have an idea and you want to execute the idea and you want a structure and a plot. But I believe it’s true. Vonnegut would, as funny as he was, agree with that. And I think it’s important to honor it. Because as a writer, you struggle…. And this is interesting to me. We honor many writers. But it’s not so easy. I mean, sometimes they get stabbed almost to death for writing, say, the Satanic Verses…

draw. No image in America lived shorter or lasted longer or stayed in a boy’s mind brighter, he thought. He looked back at the Remington 410 butt-up from its scabbard and wondered if the boy had seen it. Maybe that was it—a lone man on a horse made magnificent, maybe even noble in that high landscape, because of a shooter in a holster. And then, of course, the final folly of the cowboy myth pictured, a little north and across the two-lane road, on a towering billboard that announced the new movie Big Red Sunset, starring the glamorous Tom Horn. One hand gripped the mane of a white horse in full rear; the other embraced a soon-to-be-chosen starlet, fully pictured—except for her face. The movie would be the premier release out of the foursquare-mile coastal theme park and production lot that would soon prove that Hollywood, in the year 1934, was not the only town that made the movies. The sign seemed monolithic in its Technicolor tints against the dun grass of so much empty land. You had to drive another ten miles north before a giant lodge pole gate invited you into “Big West Pictures— The Mecca of Movies,” the golden goose that had pissed off and paid off four hard-bitten land barons for the sake of a holy vision of movies and prosperity intended to lift Santa Barbara County out of the deepening Depression. Creek held a moment longer, looking north and then south along the El Camino Real. It was a road he’d always loved. If you turned right, you could head north and make for San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and still farther on into Canada. Go left, and you could travel south into Los Angeles, or past it into the lands of Mexico. All that without leaving the one road. As he had crossed this morning, heading into the high range, he had seen a car come out of the north and lurch into the dirt apron beneath the movie billboard. A man had leaned out the window, shouted something, and then fired a gun at the billboard before speeding off. Now, as Creek crossed back, he tipped his hat at the Long Island glove salesman–become–matinee cowboy idol with a bullet in his forehead, thinking famous and handsome had its enemies. He followed the shoulder south toward two large palms, both wild in the wind, then turned Spinnaker seaward, passed through a fence break and rode onto open land. It was high ground, and the view involved nearly all of his ranch and, on a clear day, a vista east to the Ventura Coast and seaward to the distant Channel Islands. As he rode, he studied a dark speck far out to sea. It was increasing in size, and he shifted against the wind, thinking a boat in this weather was an unforgiving place in this world. He hoped her captain was seaworthy. He smiled to feel Spinnaker glide up a gear as they came into the trees that marked the broad slope of the sixty acres he had survived a war to come home to, make a life from, and step away from the policing world for. As they rode in, both man and horse felt the storm rising in the racket of branches and tin roofs and the hundred groans of old wire, nails, and dry wood that are the living system of any ranch. The road entered his land along the north border for half a mile, twisted through poplar, magnolia, and sycamore groves, then crossed a half dozen outbuildings, every one sun- and wind-wrecked and placed by the prior owner with a baffling logic Creek had yet to decipher. Finally, they turned for the main house below, nestled in a copse of trees facing the sea. The effect of it all gave both a ramshackle and an elegant introduction to his simple house, where the road finished in a roundabout. Towering above the house stood an ancient palm whose shadow, on sunny days, traveled the grounds like a sundial. In a strange moment, the sun broke from behind black clouds and the slight palm shadow flashed along his yard, and then it was gone. Many years later, whenever he thought of the Indian boy Pony and the events that followed, he saw that haunting shadow like an ominous scar creeping across his land. The house was set in a nest of eucalyptus and oak, with desert cactus and bougainvillea scattered around it and enough sun usually splashing through to make it a cheerful place. It had a plain, western elegance and

And on that note, please enjoy Last Light in Paradise as much as we have… •••

Montecito Reads Last Light in Paradise by Michael C. Armour

Chapter 1 The man and the horse moved out of the pine trees, crossed open meadow for a quarter mile, then took the old farm road down past the big boulders of the dry river and came up into orchard. His name was Creek. He was riding the black thoroughbred named Spinnaker and liked how the horse was learning trail. For a neurotic speedball, the horse was learning to pay attention to the hilly world, fitting trust into his high-wire flat-track mind. Coming out of orange groves, Creek led Spinnaker down into a long gorge, followed it until it hit a culvert, then came up at the big road, El Camino Real, and pulled up. Spinnaker held as Creek stared out at the coming storm, the dark sea, and the bench of land beside it, where his ranch lay. He had failed at everything he’d tried since coming home. Failed at lima beans, at goats, at forgetting Europe, at fitting in. He smiled at the idea that Spinnaker might be his one triumphant exception. The horse didn’t flinch as the wind gusted up from the sea and across the grass flats and only tilted his ears as Creek waited by the side of the road for the ’32 Plymouth to speed out of the horizon and shoot by them. He watched a boy whip around in the back seat, staring hard from the rear window. Creek tipped his hat, and the boy wheeled to say something to the driver then swung back and waved timidly before the green coupe turned and disappeared from view. They love a cowboy, Creek thought, like nothing else. Even if he wasn’t a boy, had no cows, and shot nobody anymore, and rarely ever had on a 8 – 15 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito Reads Page 324 324

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Montecito Reads (Continued from 31 31)) felt like it could stand up to any southeaster that might blow in past the islands or wild Santa Ana howling down the Mission range behind it to the north. Its porch and windows looked out at a long, broad slope of open land that was hard soil—sometimes sparse, sometimes plush with golden oat grass—and tilted at about a railroad grade of seven percent a few hundred yards down to the sea. His horse fed and watered, Creek took his Southern Comfort and a pair of binoculars to the porch. He positioned the big chair to face the ocean, put his boots to the wood rail, and took a deep drink, feeling fully entitled to the slow burn through chilled limbs as the liquor spread. This solace after returning home safely from storm, from Europe, from war— Norman called it the “Big Lazy.” Now burrowed into the chair, Creek stared seaward at the small speck, still miles out but growing. Even with the field glasses, all he could make out was a rough idea of a boat. But the longer he looked, the more certain he was that he had found the only boat within an entire horizon’s worth of bad seas, and that it was heading straight for him. He watched as the speck grew. What he could see through the glasses was beamy, with a high freeboard, big water at the bow, and a trail of diesel-smudge following. Whitecaps were cresting from five- to ten-foot swells, and based on its approach, it was likely the island boat from Santa Rosa. He had a bad feeling in all this. It was Sunday. The stock boat only came on Fridays, when it came at all. And never in seas so large. He waited until he was certain it was the barge-wide cattle boat and that it was empty of men and livestock. He studied the sky. It still had storm in it, but the wind could change that. A bad business, he thought, and when he glassed John Penbrook standing in the bridge next to Harvey, he knew he was probably right. It took an act of Congress to get the old man off his sea-bound ranch. Creek figured they were twenty minutes out, which gave him a moment to think on the nagging warning he felt building in his gut. Still, when a friend came calling, he would answer. So, he went inside and made coffee, filled two thermoses, put on his thick range coat and walked down to the dock to meet them. He wondered if it was a cowboy who might have caught a hook from a hind shoe, or maybe one of the old women who had “kitchened” at the ranch since the last century. Creek wondered what they did with the bodies when someone died out there, thirty miles from the mainland. Penbrook was a good padrone, fair and kind and cared for by his people, which made for a happy lot. Creek couldn’t imagine there being any foul play. As the boat neared, Creek readied to take the lines. The steelhulled tug rolled off its throttle, the props hit the water in reverse, and the pilot put the fenders next to Creek’s dock like a duck brushing up to its mate. Penbrook was now topside and threw the first line to Creek. “Only here for an hour or so,” the old man shouted above the engine. Creek studied the man’s face and nodded. He roped the cleat with enough slack to settle as the tide settled, a foot to the hour. He walked aft, took the second toss and fastened it off with the same leeway. He looked up at Harvey, the pilot, and showed him the thermos. “You gonna hide out up there?” Creek yelled. Harvey smiled and nodded, so Penbrook took the thermos and handed it up to him. At seventy, Penbrook was still fluid. No wasted moves, no hobble or hidden groans. He had loved the things of his life for a lot of years and so ruled his ranch from gentleness rather than bossiness. You wanted him to sit with you, smoke a pipe, and tell stories. You wanted to see that sun-wizened face come to smile at a good telling, a hallmark of his always dry humor when recounting the follies of the business. But Creek saw the sadness in the old man’s eyes and silently offered his hand. Penbrook gripped it and stepped over the gate rail onto the dock. He nodded toward the main house, and the two men walked up in silence. The inside of Creek’s home was plain, though the windows were large. Creek had brought very few things to fill it. The kitchen had a table with some red in it and a couple of chairs. The bedroom had a bed, a wood chair, a Hopi rug, and a single dresser. Not a mirror, painting, or suit in the place. The living room had two chairs designed for comfort, a couple

32 Montecito JOURNAL

of boxes for footrests, and little more. Norman had said Creek was slow to come home and just as slow to stay. When they were seated, Creek said, “Looked cold out there, you want a bite of whiskey?” Penbrook thought about it, moved his body to shift some kind of thought, and said, “Yup. I think I’d like that.” When the old man had a couple of sips in him to settle the crossing, he looked up and into Creek’s eyes. The younger man could hear the blow outside rising and worried about the return crossing. Whatever had happened had taken something out of the old man. “Goddamn, I don’t think I can do it.” Creek let that sit for a bit, then asked, “Do what, John?” “I came here to borrow your truck, but the steel just went out of me.” “What do you need, old friend?” “Damnedest thing,” Penbrook said. “Our boy come across last week to do his errands and didn’t come back. Not a phone call, not a message. Many years of, well, one way of doing things, then this. I figured something happened, Creek. So, I was gonna ask you to look for him. He always liked you.” “This is Pony, the Indian boy?” Creek asked, and John nodded. Creek said, “What ‘one way of doing things,’ John?” “Well, about twice a month or so, he would ride over with some of the boys, pick up some garden things, play a little poker, do whatever else, I wouldn’t know. Mostly, come right back, even when the boys stayed on a day or two.” “How long he been gone?” “A week.” “What’s the sheriff say?” “Not much.” “Why’s that?” “Didn’t ask.” “Why’s that, John?” “Well, the man’s Indian. It’s like asking if you seen an ant on the road to Frisco. Law has one love in this town: my wealthy fellows. Rest don’t even get seen, ’cept when they’re placing coffee on a table or weeding the begonias in the backyard.” Creek looked out to sea, sensing what was coming. The sky had darkened, and Creek knew Harvey would wish to stay aboard his ship, that neither man would wish to face the gathering squall on a dark night. “Sonora know you’re here for the night?” “We’ll see. I came more for her than for me. She raised that boy. Not knowing where he’s been—it’s got her bedridden.” John stood then, but his knees threatened to buckle, so he sat again and put his head in his hands. When he looked up, his eyes had as much begging as hurt in them. “I know some of what you did over there. You were a bigger damn deal than you’ve let on, Creek. I heard they offered you a bunch of money to come to Washington. Army don’t usually beg. President don’t usually ask personally. You must a been very good at what you did, young man. And, to the point, you must have had your fill of unpleasantness, to walk away from it all.” He looked at Creek, and Creek couldn’t look back. He felt good and bad in the same moment. Good that someone knew part of the story, bad that by not explaining the rest he looked like a man who might have shirked his duty. “Creek. Fix me another and let me tell you why I come. I know you’re gonna say yes because of Sonora, but it ain’t easy to ask.” “You come to ask would I find your ranch hand.” “No. I come for something worse.” Creek stared at him, then went to the kitchen and poured a fat thimble of liquor, delivered it gently and watched John close his eyes, as if making some private resolve before taking a sip to help him say the thing that was stuck behind his watery eyes. “He’s on a beach. Down in Montecito,” John said. “He get drunk, then get rolled?” “Sheriff said it was a fishing accident.” “Don’t remember him being so fond of the ocean.” “Well, he got himself a boat, I guess.” “How bad is he?” Creek asked. “And how did you hear about it?” “Chief Wade, he called. Few hours ago.” “Why didn’t you just call me?”

“Each day is filled with promise, potential and possibility.” – Tony Curl

8 – 15 January 2026

“No. I come thinking I could do it, but I lost my courage on the crossing. Creek, that boy’s been as much son as if he had been born to us. Right from the day Sonora found him.” Everybody remembered Charlie Russell, called only “Pony” because he was short and rode a pony his whole life. Tender of the lighthouse, tender of the garden, tender of every loose beast on the eighty square miles of wild island. Only Indian in a sea of raggedy whites and Mexicans and some island wives, he was mostly private, with warm eyes, a warm smile, a game leg, and the burden of very old heartache. John cleared his throat. “Somehow,” he said, “he got tangled up in wires and his body’s down there.” Creek tried to picture this and couldn’t. “Christ, John. What do you mean?” “That’s what I know.” “Is he cut bad, John, or is he cut dead?” “He’s dead, Creek. All heaped up on the beach, they say. No shirt, just a heap in the sand. But this ain’t the reason I can’t go by myself.” Creek waited, not wanting to hear. This was everything he had left behind, rushing back, carried into his house by a man he’d idolized since childhood. When John wouldn’t come back from his silence, Creek put his hand on his shoulder. “His head,” John said, his voice suddenly feeble. “He’s on the beach but his head ain’t. They can’t find the boy’s head, for God’s sake.” Creek watched as the old man’s shoulders began to quiver, his eyes looking up at Creek, imploring and baffled and innocent as a child’s because he could not imagine a thing so awful or evil. And, who better than this ambulance driver from the Great War to somehow explain it. “You loved him, John,” Creek said. “You both loved him like a son.” “Yes.” “So I got to ask: This was an accident? Someone said that?” “Caught up in some rigging. A wire or something. He was never much at the cowboy part. Had every gift, but not the mechanical.” “The police still there, at the beach?” “Yes. Someone. Said they’d post a man.” “I’ll go see him,” Creek said. “You don’t need to. It won’t do any good for you to do that. Just tell me, how do they know it’s Pony?” “They know, Creek.” “Okay.” “They do.” “But how?” “Got a block of ink work on his back. Chinese art. When he heard you come back with one, he got one for himself. You know how he was. He worshipped you.” Creek stood and went into the bedroom. He pulled out the gun and holster and the old wallet from his desk. He went past John into the kitchen and took the big range coat back off the hook in the mudroom. He’d never known about the tattoo. He walked over to John and stood by him. “That phone there,” Creek nodded toward it. “You call the precinct and tell Wade to keep people wide of the site. If I think it necessary, I will ask for an autopsy. There’s a few hours of daylight left. Will you do this, John?” John shook his head vehemently. “Jesus Creek. No. It’s nothin’ like that. It’s just an accident, a bad one. Wade’s been a cop forever. Boat ain’t nothin’ but a basket full a trouble, full of knives and booms and haywire rigging. Pony just had a fucked-up bad spill is all. Boy never should have been out there. Not his world, the water. Everybody ever met him only loved him. Christ, Creek. Nobody born to woman could do such a thing. Just get him, Creek. Just bring him home.” “All right. Then make a call, so we’ll have a wagon and some men. They might have to take the body, keep it until tomorrow.” “Goddamn if I can’t make myself go with you.” Creek stood at the door, hand to the knob, looking out at the late afternoon light. “Rain’s going to come hard when it comes,” he said. John nodded, knowing. “You and Harvey sleep here tonight. Leave the crossing till daylight.” “Harvey won’t leave the boat.” “Yup. But he ought to, if it blows.” “Best boatman on the Pacific.” “Sonora know any of this?” “Lord no. I think I might go back tonight, Creek. You find the rest of him, maybe you could box him up and bring him over tomorrow or the next day.” 8 – 15 January 2026

Creek thought it a madness to return in such seas but said instead, “Okay. You stay till I get back? See how the water looks then?” John nodded, stared up at him as if to say something but couldn’t. “What are you thinking, John?” “I’m thinking I didn’t prepare little Pony for the world.” Creek couldn’t find any more words, so he went out into the wind, closing the door softly behind him, sore everywhere at the sight of the old man’s heartache. He drove the sea road trying to fathom how a man might lose his head in sea rigging, how this was sliding toward something he never wanted to go near again. The sky darkened. A few drops hit the windshield. He wanted to turn around, go back and change what John had told him. He wanted to go back before that, back far enough to change that day in New England when he decided to go to war. He remembered every detail of it. All these years later, he still wished he could change it. So, he thought of it now hoping for a better outcome. In the spring of 1916, Creek had quietly withdrawn his name from the registrar of Yale University and boarded the ninety-four-foot schooner Traveler from Boston, to sail for the European war some three thousand miles and two weeks distant. He was abandoning the only spoken expectation his parents had held for him—the triumph of an eastern education. He was heading instead for a place he felt certain would bring as much redemption and adventure as the summer he’d spent ranching out on Santa Rosa Island. And then, of course, life had brought him life, and he had survived and managed—after long years in Europe with the military—to come home. He had purchased the ranch two years ago and come to live upon it four months back, in April of ’34, time enough to fail at goats and lima beans and fence-mending, at making any kind of a social life. He took another swallow of his travel drink and nodded, thinking of the killers and turncoats and bullies and dead men, and the worst—politicians he’d run up against. No more. He meant to stay fast to the land and close to the living and the simple. He would put Pony back together, lug him in a box out to the island, and put him in the ground. Maybe stick a sign on his property that said, “I’m quit. For good.” Tune in next week for Chapter Two of Last Light in Paradise.

Michael C. Armour is author and original artist of bestselling Smithsonian children’s books Orca Song and Puma Range, and has been an award-winning writer/director for CBS documentaries, and many print and TV commercials for Honda and other companies. He comes from three generations of ranching, has been a horseman and motorcyclist most of his life, and has worked for years with released inmates under the direction of the Santa Barbara Superior Court and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office.

Scan the QR code to purchase the full book online, or pick one up at your local bookstore: Tecolote in Montecito, Godmothers in Summerland, or Chaucer’s in Santa Barbara.

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Beings & Doings (Continued from 6) Magellan of the nether regions. But bravery isn’t foolishness. This medical specialist insists on a completely empty large intestine for the procedure – understandable since Gastroenterologist Fashion Sense runs to brilliant white garb.

now exiting in a weaponized blast that could tear old chewing gum off a city sidewalk. I spend the evening making the Betty Boop face. “Boop-Oop-a-Doop!!”

No Exit The next day I report to the clinic with my ex-girlfriend (wife). The procedure offers the jittery patient an optional relaxant, and so it’s recommended one arrange a ride home – lest the doped-up customer stagger out of the clinic to blearily wander the streets with his pants around his ankles, singing the Andy Williams songbook and gesturing like a tenor. I’d had my four wisdom teeth out as a tween, an IV drip in my forearm. I’d awakened to the lilting laughter of the dental assistant, who informed me that as I counted backwards I’d started blathering about Farrah Fawcett-Majors. True story (and yeah, this dates me). I decline the colonoscopy relaxant. My appointment is at 7 in the morning. Entering the colonoscopy waiting room at that hour is like wandering into the middle of a French existentialist play. A gaggle of gloomy men and women sit with unread magazines drooped into their laps, each of them staring bug-eyed into an abyss of their own design. I barely have time to sign in when a cheery clinic interlocuter appears at the door. “Jeffry Wing?!” She surveys the expressionless damned in their seats and I do the same. Surely he’s here somewhere? My beloved jostles my arm and I fess up. “Follow me!” my attendant chirps. When I crane my neck to bid my ex-gf farewell she is already halfway out the door. “Bye sweetie!” she calls with her predictably mirthful smile.

Ambassador

Doctor in “Hippocratic White.” Gastroenterology and bleach go together like breakfast and orange juice (photo Muhammad-Hicham)

No problem! In their wisdom the colonic engineers have devised a fiendish catalyst to get things moving the evening prior, so that on the day of the procedure no anterior geyser will threaten the good doctor’s sartorial austerity. There are a couple or three different colon-voiding elixirs on the market, and the one prescribed for my adventure is called MoviPrep®, which sounds like putting on a necktie to go see a matinee. It isn’t that. Within an hour of drinking the solution (as reliably reported on the box), the magic potion chemically tricks the colon into believing it is the ass-end of an F-16. A nightlong series of delightful spasms ensues, yesterday’s benign ham sandwich

34 Montecito JOURNAL

Momentarily I’ll be glaring beseechingly at Comfort Bird as at a long-lost lover. Another professional enters the Procedure Room, snapping her gloves on like a movie surgeon. She pleasantly tells me her name and says she’ll be assisting the doctor. The idea of bearing my caboose to this small crowd has me all a-twitter. It’s not clear what could be more humiliating. Maybe some arcane procedure involving my urethra and a sparkler. The doctor arrives, handsome and of good cheer. “How we doing? You’re going to feel a little pressure.” Swell. With doctors it’s always “a little pressure” or “a little pinch.” They could be cleaving your breastbone with a circular saw.

We all know by now that the jocularity of the medical attendant rises in concordance with the gravity of the procedure. So it is that people are wheeled into brain surgery attended by mimes and dancing bears in tutus. One is reminded of the movie Patch Adams, in which Robin Williams plays a doctor who delivers himself of dire diagnoses wearing a clown’s nose. Is this a good idea? Sartre would surely have approved. But the nice lady who takes me by the arm is genuinely laconic, and a dear. She understands the rueful comedy implicit in the colonoscopy and her genuine high spirits enjoin me to see the harmless bigger picture. I begin to calm a little, and everything happens now in fairly short order. We repair to a little room with dressing cubicles and their flimsily translucent “privacy” curtains. I’m given a one-piece shift of pale blue hospital-issue cotton. I stare at it for a long moment.

When succumbing to anesthesia, count backwards at your peril (public domain)

“Pull it down over your head,” my keeper instructs helpfully, seeing my paralysis. “I’m naked underneath?” I ask. “Uh, YEAH?” she replies in her best “duh!” I can’t help but smile. The smile fades as she interviews me about the nature of the previous evening’s exhaust. “Could you see through it?” she asks. “Uh…um…maybe…a little?” She jots something on her clipboard. I shakily doff my clothes and stuff them into a locker, move to an adjoining room. Another middle-aged guy in a tunic is sitting there and we exchange nervous pleasantries about our respective professions. To my chagrin he works in pumped concrete. My bowel stirs. A woman arrives dressed in business casual and leads me to the Procedure Room. She is likewise relaxed and relaxing. “Here is the Procedure Room,” she says as we enter. My original attendant arrives and to my horror conveys my information in dulcet tones. “HE COULDN’T SEE ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIS CRAP,” she remarks loudly. Another patient passes us, a nervous-looking woman in her own pale blue tunic. “Oh no,” I manage. “We wore the same outfit.” She stares through me with a haunted expression, offers a wan smile, and walks on.

The last thing you want – a shirtless Pat Boone in your bowel (public domain)

I’m spiffy-lubed and the totemic object of my terror enters my storm cellar without ceremony. I fear the camera will catch an inscription on the wall of my bowel, a message from Arne Saknussemm, the mysterious Icelandic explorer whose cryptic subterranean scrawls are described in Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. This would mean the film version’s Pat Boone is wandering around my colon with a torch and no shirt. Not good. Fifteen minutes later the utterly painless procedure is over. I’m clean! I did it! It’s over! It was nothing! I gamely thank everyone and walk to the recovery room where I crack wise with the nurse there. She hands me several stapled sheets featuring garish color photos of my gastronomic soul and I shut up. This has been a PSA, dear reader. If you’ve been putting off this procedure, you needn’t. It’s a piece of cake, for real. Given the context, I do realize this well-meant assurance could wreck your love of cake.

Pat Boone Bowel The Procedure Room! There are countertops and stainless-steel sinks and dangling apparatus, all bathed in that shadeless Western Medicine fluorescence whose chief effect is to shout “Mortality!” I’m bade lie down on the gurney next to the wall and the handsome lady fluffs the pillow. “Are you comfortable, Jeff?” I’m intrigued by these niceties, preceding as they do the introduction of a camera-festooned freight train into my harshly illuminated yoo-hoo. Following instructions, I roll onto my left side. A photograph of a bright yellow bird has been taped to the wall. “Comfort Bird,” I murmur sardonically.

“Every exit is an entry somewhere else.” – Tom Stoppard

Jeff Wing is a journalist, raconteur, autodidact, and polysyllable enthusiast. He has been writing about Montecito and environs since before some people were born. He can be reached at jeff@ montecitojournal.net

8 – 15 January 2026

(Division 6 of the Commercial Code) Escrow No. 120-34373-CM (1) Notice is hereby given to creditors of the within named Seller(s) that a bulk sale is about to be made on personal property hereinafter described. (2) The name and business addresses of the seller are: CHOCOLATS DU CALIBRESSAN, INC., 4193 CARPINTERIA AVENUE, STE. 4, CARPINTERIA, CA 93013 (3) The location in California of the chief executive office of the Seller is: SAME AS ABOVE (4) The names and business address of the Buyer(s) are: HERBERT WEIGELL II, 118 EAST GUTIERREZ STREET, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101 (5) The location and general description of the assets to be sold are: CERTAIN FURNITURE, FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT, GOODWILL, INVENTORY AND OTHER ASSETS of that certain business located at: 4193 CARPINTERIA AVENUE, STE. 4, CARPINTERIA, CA 93013 (6) The business name used by the seller(s) at said location is: CHOCOLATS DU CALIBRESSAN (7) The anticipated date of the bulk sale is JANUARY 27, 2026 at the office of: GLEN OAKS ESCROW, 24018 LYONS AVE. SANTA CLARITA, CA 91321, Escrow No. 120-34373-CM, Escrow Officer: CYNTHIA MOLLER (8) Claims may be filed with Same as “7” above. (9) The last day for filing claims is: JANUARY 26, 2026.

(10) This bulk sale is subject to Section 6106.2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. (11) As listed by the Seller, all other business names and addresses used by the Seller within three years before the date such list was sent or delivered to the Buyer are: NONE. DATED: DECEMBER 22, 2025 BUYER(S): HERBERT WEIGELL II 4565919-PP MONTECITO 1/8/26

8 – 15 January 2026

JOURNAL

Entertainment

(Continued from 26 26))

PUBLIC NOTICE

COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA STATE OF CALIFORNIA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA (“COUNTY”) intends to enter into a Real Property Acquisition Agreement, (“Agreement”) and accept the Permanent Easement (“PE”) to allow for ongoing access and maintenance of an Emergency Storm Damage repair made to the Palmer Road Site No. 23STM1-4J27/Federal-Aid Project No. 15J7(093) (“PROJECT”) from the Michael Ranch Trust, owner of the property located at 6355 Palmer Road, Santa Maria, California, 93454. Also identified as Assessor’s Parcel Number 101-040-026. The total purchase price proposed to be paid for the property interests is $500. The Agreement and Certificate of Acceptance for the PE will be executed on behalf of the County by Chris Sneddon, Director of the Public Works Department, pursuant to Santa Barbara County Code Section 12A-11.1. The Agreement and Certificate of Acceptance will be executed at the Office of the Director of the Public Works Department, located at 123 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Responses to this Notice will be accepted at the Office of the Manager of the Transportation Division, at the following address:

As for Pryko, she’s already reaped a number of rewards. “We help out kids but also the students who are involved, through the experience we get and the way our team has grown together and reached out to the community with this chance to help others,” she said. “I’ve been going to KHK concerts since I was really little, and even then I thought it was so cool that these kids – who don’t yet have everything figured out – gave so much time and sacrificed so much just to help others. I’m grateful to be able to do that myself.”

Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage

Public Works Department Transportation Division Attn: Transportation Division Manager 123 E. Anapamu Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 DATE OF POSTING: THURSDAY, January 8, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV075566. To all interested parties: Petitioner MARILYN CLAIRE DRAGHI filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to CLAIRE DRAGHI KEMP. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed December 23, 2025 by Sarah Sisto. Hearing date: February 9, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 5, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 1, 8, 15, 22, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SHENNIE SMITH AND ASSOCIATES THERAPY GROUP, 30 W MISSION ST, SUITE 4, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. SHENANDOAH SMITH

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST, INC, 30 W MISSION ST SUITE 4, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 23, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0002921. Published January 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026 AMMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV05574. To all interested parties: Petitioner CHRISTOPHER PAUL PUGLISI filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to CHRISTOPHER PAUL RHODES. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court

• Voice of theVillage •

may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed December 3, 2025 by Terri Chavez. Hearing date: February 6, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 4, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published December 18, 25, 2025 and January 1, 8, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV07046. To all interested parties: Petitioner JANET MARIE NICKSIC filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to JANET VIE. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed December 5, 2025 by Terri Chavez. Hearing date: January 28, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 3, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published December 25, 2025 and January 1, 8, 15, 2026

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF BULK SALE

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Montecito JOURNAL

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Calendar of Events

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

by Steven Libowitz THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 Mariposa Magic – Can someone please explain why as of this writing (six days before) there are almost 50 tickets representing more than 16 percent of the total still somehow available for tonight’s concert featuring the classical/bluegrass loving superstar trio of double bassist Edgar Meyer, cellist Joshua Roman and violinist Tessa Lark? The January jinx? Fear of Hahn Hall? Too busy during the holidays to even notice? Whatever the reason, missing this visit by the three uber-talented and extra-adventurous musicians to the Music Academy’s exquisite venue as part of its Mariposa series would be an early mistake to make with the year barely a week old. The misstep would be particularly grievous given a program that pairs Bach’s “Sonata for Viola da Gamba in G Major, BWV 1027,” with Meyer’s own triplet of trios for the instruments written in 1986 and 1988 sandwiched around the one he composed for this ensemble in 2024. Especially in a venue as intimate as Hahn. And there’s even a free pre-concert reception on the patio. ‘Nuff said. WHEN: 7:30 pm WHERE: Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road COST: $65-$80 INFO: (805) 969-8787 or www.musicacademy.org

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

Ancestral Materials & Modernism – Zapotec-American textile artist Porfirio Gutiérrez draws on ancestral knowledge of natural materials and a family legacy of treadle loom weaving to create works that communicate contemporary experiences. With an unlimited palette of natural colors, Gutiérrez departs from traditional woven motifs, redefines Zapotec creative language, and explores the complexity of the Americas today. Tonight’s talk will be followed by a display of his functional work, including table centerpieces, rugs, and wall hangings, some available for purchase. Gutiérrez will also lead a two-day intensive natural dye workshop offering 11 hours of hands-on instruction in traditional cochineal dyeing techniques January 24-25. WHEN: 6-7:30 pm WHERE: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Rd. COST: $10 INFO: (805) 682-4711 or www.sbnature.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

What Would Woody Say? – Dustbowl Revival was originally founded nearly two decades ago in the pseudo bohemian enclave of Venice Beach as an ensemble engaged in playing high-energy takes on old-time and bluegrass music. That’s how we first encountered the outfit in a special after-hours dance gig back when the Live Oak Music Festival was still held at Live Oak Camp near Lake Cachuma. Over the last decade, though, Dustbowl has evolved into an Americana Soul band that still boasts eight full-time members and a bunch of rotating guests, all of whom mash up roots music with New Orleans funk, soul, blues, jangly rock and more, the group’s hard-driving rhythm and brass section underpinning fast-picking strings and Laurel Canyon-style harmonies. In other words, it’s like the old TV commercial for Prego Spaghetti Sauce – whatever you might be looking for “It’s in there!” WHEN: 9 pm WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $22 INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

36 Montecito JOURNAL

Kono Knows – Longtime local pianist Konrad Kono is pretty darn wellknown in this town, his years of service as a music educator and camp director concurrent with performances as a pianist all over the place. A master of the keyboard with a rich musical background spanning many genres of music from classical to jazz and pop with his original style, Kono has been staple of the scene in venues that range from clubs and concert halls to piano bars to private Montecito parties. Kono even provided the impromptu, on-the-spot musical cues for the now-defunct science-meets-improv shows at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Kono’s infectious energy and magnetic presence are a big part of his talent, drawing audiences together to smile, spontaneously clap, or even sing along as a part of the experience. As Kono is also a composer, we’re not sure what to expect when the pianist performs at one of downtown’s premier venues of the Lobero Theatre, but it’s sure to be fun. WHEN: 7 pm WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. COST: $20-$30 VIP tickets includes premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres) INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org New Music for a New Year – Santa Barbara Music Club kicks off 2026 with a program that boasts the long-delayed world premiere of the organization’s past president Eric Valinsky’s “Sonata for Bassoon and Piano.” The piece was conceived in Florence, Italy, for cello and piano way back in the summer of 1985 with a nod to Vivaldi’s “Cello Sonata, Op. 14.” The work was completed later that year in New York but was never performed. Forty years later, Valinsky has recomposed the sonata for bassoon and piano, with highlights including a passionate third movement based on a chord progression that he heard in grade school that stuck with him forever. “The movement builds up to that chord progression, but it never happens,” he writes. “When I reached that point, I realized that the music needed to go somewhere else. This seems to be the case with my human children as well: they have forged

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” – Charles Dederich

8 – 15 January 2026

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

Cuyama Country Comes to Town – Kick up your heels to kick off 2026 with Cuyama Mama and the Hot Flashes, “The most rockin’, foot stompin’, apron flauntin’ musical act in the Cuyama Valley,” in concert at SOhO. The band, which hails from the community where Rt. 33 meets Rt. 166 north of Santa Barbara and Ojai, is boasting a brand-new album of somewhat quieter, more subtle songs. At press time the album was still being mixed, but should be available by show time given that the SohO performance is billed as a CD-release event. Betty Arlene features artwork by its inspiration, Betty Arlene Seaman, and strong songs and lead vocals from Jan Lamberton Smith. The band also includes the great local percussionist Jody Eulitz, who plays a resonant cardboard box with steel brushes. Muddy Daughters Choir are the special guests. WHEN: 7:30 pm WHERE: SOhO, 1221 State St., upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $10 INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

their own lives, irrespective of my plans for them.” Opening the richly varied program is Lucas Richman’s Concerto for Oboe: the Clearing – performed by Adelle Rodkey with Valinsky. That piece was commissioned in 2006 by Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, longtime principal oboist of the Pittsburgh Symphony and 20-year Music Academy faculty member Carl Nielsen’s “Quintet Opus 43,” performed by the Santa Barbara Chamber Players Woodwind Quintet (Carol Houchens, Adelle Rodkey, Nancy Mathison, Johann Trujillo, and Simon Knight), closes the concert. WHEN: 3 pm WHERE: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 4575 Auhay Dr. COST: free INFO: sbmusicclub.org SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 Jazz in January: Just the Thing – Santa Barbara Jazz Society launches its monthly series at SOhO for 2026 with versatile veteran vocalist Lee Hartley and Friends, featuring Stuart Elster on piano, Kevin Winard on drums and Rob Moreno on bass, with surprise special guest artists. Hartley started singing at age three with her gospel family, developing a soulful style with a natural ability that has followed her throughout a musical career that included working for a decade with the legendary Les McCann and his AllStar friends, touring across the USA and Japan. She has also appeared with numerous big bands as lead vocalist, co-writing her own arrangements, and is currently recording with pianist Christian Jacob’s Trio – familiar in these parts for his own concerts and stints as musical director of Tierney Sutton’s band. Hartley’s ongoing gigs include the swinging Ted Herman Big Band in Palm Desert while her Dusty Springfield tribute regularly sells out in the Palm Springs area. WHEN: 1-4 pm WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $10-$25 INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

8 – 15 January 2026

‘Sea Change’ Sees Changes – Chaucer’s in-store book-and-author events get going for 2026 with an upbeat nonfiction tale about the environment for a change. Sea Change: Unlikely Allies and a Success Story of Oceanic Proportions, by Amanda Leland and James Workman, explores a victory for the world’s most vital ecosystem through unlikely partnerships and surprising solutions that are quietly revolutionizing the fishing industry. The book tells a captivating, deeply human story of how unlikely allies helped carry out “the biggest conservation success story you’ve never heard of.” The narrative describes the act of rare cooperation that emerged to address the potentially disastrous overexploitation of Gulf Coast fisheries – preventing a collapse that would have brought ruin to both the ecosystem and the people whose livelihoods and communities hinge on sea catch. Fisherman Keith “Buddy” Guindon had followed every suggested policy and practice to no avail, until he — along with scientists, government agencies, and environmental groups — helped lead real change that is today preventing overfishing and securing resource longevity. Leland and Workman will share the story and sign copies of the book that has received praise from critics, authors, and environmentalists alike. Pulitzer Prize-winner Tina Rosenberg (The Haunted Land) called Sea Change both an antidote to environmental gloom and a fair, deeply informed, and fun read. Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt raved that the book reveals “one of the great environmental turnarounds of our time. It’s essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of our oceans.” WHEN: 6 pm WHERE: Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St. in Loreto Plaza Shopping Center COST: free INFO: (805) 682-6787 or www.chaucersbooks.com

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805) 565-1860

ESTATE/SENIOR SERVICES

Your Trusted Choice For Estate Sales, Liquidation & Downsizing Moving Miss Daisy’s providing comprehensive services through Moving Miss Daisy since 2015. Expert packing, unpacking, relocating to ensure your new home is beautifully set up and ready to enjoy. Miss Daisy’s is the largest consignment store in the Tri-Counties - nearly 20K sq.ft.- always offering an unmatched selection of items. We also host online Auctions. Glenn Novack, Owner 805-770-7715 www.missdaisy.org info@movingmissdaisy.com TRESOR

PHYSICAL TRAINING & THERAPY

PIANO LESSONS

Stillwell Fitness of Santa Barbara In Home Personal Training Sessions for 65+ Help with: Strength, Flexibility, Balance Motivation, and Consistency John Stillwell, CPT, Specialist in Senior Fitness 805-705-2014 StillwellFitness.com

Openings now available for Children and Adults. Piano Lessons in our Studio or your Home. Call or Text Kary Kramer (805) 453-3481

GOT OSTEOPOROSIS? WE CAN HELP At OsteoStrong our proven non-drug protocol takes just ten minutes once a week to improve your bone density and aid in more energy, strength, balance and agility. Please call for a complimentary session! Call Now (805) 453-6086

RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

ELECTRICIAN Montecito Electric Repairs and Inspections Licensed C10485353 805-969-1575 LANDSCAPE Casa L. M. Landscape hedges installed. Ficus to flowering. Disease resistant. Great privacy. Certified rootstock roses and fruit trees. Licensed & insured. Call (805) 963-6909 WATERLILIES and LOTUS since 1992 WATERGARDEN CARE SBWGC 805 682 5750

38 Montecito JOURNAL

Carpet Cleaning Since 1978 (805) 963-5304 Rafael Mendez Cell: 689-8397 or 963-3117 STUDIO OR ROOM TO RENT

CONSTRUCTION

I know it’s crazy and a bit unusual. However, I thought it worth a try to post an ad in the Journal and see what happens. I am a 67-year-old writer & audiophile, a long-time local who is about to lose his place living due to the property being sold. I’d like to stay in The Cito if at all possible. Can do errands and help out.

General Building Design & Construction Contractor William J. Dalziel Lic. B311003 – 1 (805) 698-4318 billjdalziel@gmail.com

Local, Reliable Property Management. We care for your rentals. FoothillPM.com 805-698-4769

AUTOMOBILES WANTED

I make a good watchdog too!

We Buy Classic Cars Running or Not. Foreign/Domestic Chevy/Ford/Porsche/Mercedes/Etc. We come to you. Call Steven - 805-699-0684 Website - Avantiauto.group TILE SETTING

We Buy, Sell and Broker Important Estate Jewelry. Located in the upper village of Montecito. Graduate Gemologists with 30 years of experience. We do free evaluations and private consultation. 1470 East Valley Rd Suite V. 805-969-0888

CARPET CLEANING

Does anyone have a place that is available where I can write without rent worries? I get $1250 a month Social Security, so, $700 month would work.

PERSONAL SERVICES

PET/ HOUSE SITTING Do you need to get away for a weekend, week or more? I will house sit and take care of your pets, plants & mail. I have refs if needed. Call me or text me. Christine (805) 452-2385

CAMERAS FOR SALE

35 yrs experience in luxury estates Professional, discreet, refined Real estate & contractor licensed Insured, bonded, background checked Exceptional integrity and care Call Brad (805) 350 6674

Local tile setter of 35 years is now doing small jobs only. Services include grout cleaning and repair, caulking, sealing, replacing damaged tiles and basic plumbing needs. Call Doug Watts at 805-729-3211 for a free estimate.

Tell Your Story How did you get to be where you are today? What were your challenges? What is your Love Story? I can help you tell your story in an unforgettable way – with a book that will live on for many generations. The books I write are as thorough and entertaining as acclaimed biographies you’ve read. I also assist with books you write – planning, editing and publishing. David Wilk Great references. (805) 455-5980 www.BiographyDavidWilk.com

Mike (805) 680-0239 AKA Carlos the Bear

LIVE-IN ESTATE MANAGER

Leica Cameras for Sale SL9 TYP (601) DIG. $1750 LeicaD-LUX DIG $1122 Lica Q (Type 116) $2626 All cameras in original box with original bills, good condition with cables & batteries. Delux has automatic lens hood. Jay Dooreck jdooreck@mac.com (805) 455-2925

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

DONATIONS NEEDED Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary Menagerie 2430 Lillie Avenue Summerland, CA 93067 (805) 969-1944

MACC CONSTRUCTION Building dreams Lic 949275 805 895 2852 Construct1.mac@gmail. com

Donate to the Parrot Pantry! At SB Bird Sanctuary, backyard farmer’s bounty is our birds’ best bowl of food! The flock goes bananas for your apples, oranges & other homegrown fruits & veggies.

We specialize in ADU construction Kitchen and bathroom remodeling Decks

Volunteers Do you have a special talent or skill? Do you need community service hours? The flock at SB Bird Sanctuary could always use some extra love and socialization. Call us and let’s talk about how you can help. (805) 969-1944

$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD It’s simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters. Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2pm the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex (3% surcharge)

“New day, new hopes, new life!” – Lailah Gifty Akita

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED K-9 PALS need volunteers to be foster parents for our dogs while they are waiting for their forever homes. For more information info@k-9pals.org or 805-570-0415.

8 – 15 January 2026

Mini Meta

Last Week’s Solution:

By Pete Muller & Frank Longo For each of the first five mini crosswords, one of the entries also serves as part of a five-word meta clue. The answer to the meta is a word or phrase (six letters or longer) hidden within the sixth mini crossword. The hidden meta answer starts in one of the squares and snakes through the grid vertically and horizontally from there (no diagonals!) without revisiting any squares. PUZZLE #1 1

M E S S I A T T I C T H A N E H A R E N EW

C Y A N I R E N E N E A T O T A R S OM S

S P A P A N B A S T E A C T I V R E E S E

E T S F R OM L I N E S A C E L A P A R T Y

C A F L O C A L I L U V U B O R O N R A R E

W I S E R C OMM A S N A C K I S E E C H E R

NEW

YEARS

EVE

PARTY

FAVOR

NOISEMAKER

PUZZLE #3

PUZZLE #2 3

4 5

Down 1 Any and every follower? 2 Swinging joint 3 It's a plus 4 Jack, hammer, or jackhammer 5 "Elsbeth" airer

Across 1 You might rescue a chocolate one 4 Central part of a church 5 One of many working on 4-Down, e.g. 6 Took a hard fall, in slang 7 Lead-in to car or care

Down 1 A triple one might really pick you up 2 Treat like a pariah 3 Often-shirtless comedian Kreischer 4 It has an "Origins" prequel 5 Aladdin's simian sidekick

1 5

Down 1 Spy novelist John le ___ 2 Defensive comeback 3 Head fake, for one 4 One who may be swaying while praying 5 Saturn's origin?

Across 1 Half-___ 4 See 8-Across 6 Hudson who portrayed Winston Zeddemore in four "Ghostbusters" films 7 Like many exam answers 8 With 4-Across, Beyoncé's role in "Cadillac Records"

Down 1 Something to "remember" in a battle cry 2 LaDuke was his running mate twice 3 Cannon on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 4 Part of a Penn set? 5 Class of '26 in 2026, e.g.: Abbr.

META PUZZLE 3

Across 1 "On-on" or "off-on" linkup 4 Football team's repertoire 6 Something that picks up speed? 7 Future indicators, supposedly 8 It's "pour" in Paris

PUZZLE #5

PUZZLE #4 1

Across 1 Half-awake person's inquiry, maybe 4 "___ One Here" (2025 Kanye West song) 5 Brothers who directed "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" 6 Victor known as "The Clown Prince of Denmark" 7 Hard fall?

Across 1 With 7-Across, they don't usually have pilots anymore 4 Barton who founded the American Red Cross 6 Providers of some zest 7 See 1-Across 8 Flipping too quickly, perhaps

Down 1 See 5-Down 2 Repeated word in the lyrics of Tom Lehrer's "N Apostrophe T" 3 Like Karen on "Will & Grace" 4 What heparin prevents 5 With 1-Down, matches streamed in real time, say

Across 1 Consecrated, old-style 6 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner for his album "DAMN." 7 How a just-married couple leaves the altar 8 "___ of Roses" (punnily titled 1995 platinum album) 9 Last word in the names of many cruise ships

Down 1 Fail to keep confidential 2 Zaps, in a way, as an unwanted tattoo 3 Be unbelievable onstage? 4 Role for David Harbour in the 2022 action comedy "Violent Night" 5 They periodically turn green

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8 – 15 January 2026

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3595 PADARO LANE, CARPINTERIA 6BD/6+(2)½BA • $34,900,000 The Kogevinas Group 805.331.7577 / LIC# 01209514

338 TORO CANYON ROAD, CARPINTERIA 5BD/5+(5)½BA • $18,500,000 Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group 805.565.4014 / LIC# 01426886

3519 PADARO LN, CARPINTERIA 5BD/4BA • $16,950,000 The Kogevinas Group 805.331.7577 / LIC# 01209514

796 HOT SPRINGS RD, MONTECITO 3BD/3½BA • $8,995,000 The Kogevinas Group 805.331.7577 / LIC# 01209514

2760 SYCAMORE CNYN RD, MONTECITO 4BD/4½BA • $8,950,000 Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group 805.565.4014 / LIC# 01426886

945 ARBOLADO RD, SANTA BARBARA 4BD/3½BA • $7,950,000 Cristal Clarke 805.886.9378 / LIC# 00968247

937 ARCADY RD, MONTECITO 3BD/3½BA • $6,850,000 Cristal Clarke 805.886.9378 / LIC# 00968247

1383 SCHOOL HOUSE RD, MONTECITO 4BD/3BA • $6,100,000 Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group 805.565.4014 / LIC# 01426886

1301 PLAZA DE SONADORES, MONTECITO 2BD/2½BA • $5,950,000 Lisa Foley 805.252.2271 / LIC# 01995513

3589 TORO CNYN PK RD, CARPINTERIA ±121.12 acres • $4,750,000 Cristal Clarke 805.886.9378 / LIC# 00968247

380 SHEFFIELD DR, MONTECTIO 2BD/2BA • $3,295,000 Bruce Fisher 805.570.1679 / LIC# 00879404

1311 PLAZA DE SONADORES, MONTECITO 1BD/1BA • $1,795,000 Dan Johnson 805.895.5150 / LIC# 00609860

4886 SAWYER AVE, CARPINTERIA 2BD/2BA • $979,000 Steve Heller / John Finseth 805.252.2749 / LIC# 00929496 / 01336897

5455 8TH ST#95, CARPINTERIA 2BD/2BA • $900,000 Jo Ann Mermis 805.895.5650 / LIC# 00891742

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