A Fine Flock of Fellows

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THE PRICE IS WRONG

MING DYNASTY CHICKEN CUP FOR $36M? AN “UGLY” PAINTING FOR $142M? NOTHING FLUMMOXES JEFF HARDING, EXCEPT EXORBITANT COSTS, P. 32

SHE GOT THE BEAT

JAMEY GESTON HAS BEEN JAMMING FOR YEARS AND ROCKS SB FAIR & EXPO AGAIN – QUITE A TRACK RECORD FOR A 15-YEAR-OLD, P. 33

SANTA BARBARA

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every other week from pier to peak

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

A FINE FLOCK OF FELLOWS

ENDEAVORS OF THE NON-MYOPIC PHILANTHROPIC by Matt Mazza

A

ll people are inherently good. Hang on, maybe that’s too much. All Santa Barbarans are inherently good. Still no? Most Santa Barbarans? There, that sounds about right. The truth is that we are pretty damned generous as a group here in town, and we’ve got the wildly robust, non-

15 DAYS A WEEK PAGE 10

SBVIEW.COM PAGE 14

profit do-gooder community to prove it. (Some argue there’s too many trying to help right here in SB, but that’s another topic for another column.) It’s cool, I think, that we’ve been able to develop, cultivate and nurture that philanthropic seed; in fact, it’s something to be proud of. I’d sure rather fall on the over-achieving side of the “doing what we can to help those in need” line than the alternative. In that regard, I counted myself lucky to be selected last year as a Katherine Harvey Fellow (KHF). The KHF program was ...continued p.5

PRESIDIOSPORTS.COM PAGE 16

TIME & TIDE PAGE 26


A P R I L 1 9 – M AY 3 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

The Art of C.G. Jung’s Red Book An Exhibition Sponsored by Pacifica Graduate Institute Free & Open to the Public thru May 4 | 801 Ladera Ln., Santa Barbara

Extended by Popular Demand through May 4

Images from The Red Book by C.G. Jung used by permission of W. W. Norton & Company. Inc.

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The collection 23 fine art prints from C.G. Jung’s Red Book currently on display at Pacifica Graduate Institute was originally shown at the Venice Biennale in Italy. This is its first showing in the United States. When Jung embarked on an extended period of self-exploration, The Red Book was at the heart of it. It is an illuminated volume that he created between 1914 and 1930 where he developed his theories of the archetypes, the collective unconscious, and the process of indi-

viduation. These theories transformed psychotherapy from a practice concerned with treating the sick into a means for higher development of the personality. Jung considered The Red Book his most important work, yet it lay unseen in a bank vault for decades. Then, in 2009, a complete facsimile and translation was published. It is an astonishing example of calligraphy and art on a par with The Book of Kells and the illuminated manuscripts of William Blake.

Limited edition fine art prints of drawings from the Red Book are available through the Pacifica Bookstore or online at theredbookprints.com/pacifica

This free exhibit is open to the public through May 4, 2014, 7 days a week, from 8:00am to 10:00pm at Pacifica’s Ladera Lane Campus, 801 Ladera Lane in Santa Barbara. Call 805.969.3626, ext. 103 for additional information or visit www.pacifica.edu


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W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

DOWNTOWN’S FAVORITE DELI

Content COVER P.7

Mazza’s Missive – Local philanthropists join forces as part of Katherine Harvey Fellows, and you can learn more at a meet and greet May 1.

L etters to the Editor – John Kelley sounds off about Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax and Editor Matt seems fascinated, really. Also, Mac McGill “the Thrill” pens another Mac attack and reveals a dirty little secret: He got a J-O-B.

P.8 P.10 P.14

The Beer Guy – Zach Rosen slams back some crafty brews in Denver, then stumbles away while feeling a mile high. We’ll drink to that. 15 Days a Week – This ain’t your grandmother’s diary. Jeremy Harbin puts his own sarcastic spin and razor-sharp wit on what’s happening in the ‘hood.

Photo by Mehosh

Santa Barbara View – Sharon Byrne gives a shout-out or three to Milpas McDonald’s and Milpas Moves! Loretta Redd, meanwhile, just can’t kick The Habit. (Thank you, ladies – now we’re hungry.)

P.16 P.21 P.22

Presidio Sports – Local boys and girls teams have taken the basketball court by storm, and we recognize the stars who shine. Consider this report a standing ovation on paper.

Girl About Town – “Earth to Julie Bifano!” Actually, our reporter has her feet firmly on the ground and is all over Earth Day, thanks to Loa Tree’s Green Drinks ...mmm... roots.

CELEBRATING 8 YEARS!

Saturday April 26 Anniversary Special $6 Pastrami 126 E. Canon Perdido • www.threepickles.com • (805) 965 1015 pulitzer prize winning musical drama

the

consul by gian-carlo menotti

P.24 P.25

Dust & Cover – You wanna rock? So does ubiquitous Jeremy Harbin (that dude gets around), and he’s excited to sit and spin on Record Store Day with Warbler Records & Goods.

P.26

Pet Detectives – Those pesky little Mayfield brothers, our favorite youth sleuths, bark about their favorite four-legged teenager.

In the Garden with Mr.GreenJeans – While wandering through his gardens, contemplating the drought, Randy Arnowitz thinks about Meryl Streep movies and The Far Side. (Perhaps the humid greenhouse is getting to him?)

Pump It – Once again, Jenny Schatzle is in your face, with the only return on your investment that matters: health. So, eat right, drop and give me 20!

P.27 P.28

Cut.Chew.Eat.Repeat – Jacquelyn De Longe had so many things to do and places to go for her birthday, she felt the need to chronicle them all. Well played, young lady. Stylin’ & Profilin’ – If one of our writers is going to have a ball AND be tangled up in blue, it’s bound to be Megan Waldrep. She’s a SC Gamecock by choice, but a fashionista and social butterfly by birth.

P.30

friday

apr

In the Zone – Tommie Vaughn gets funky with the Fab Four, though our in-house rocker isn’t referring to The Beatles. She introduces us to a much better-looking group: those ladies at Green House Studios.

sunday

25 27 apr

7:30pm

2:30pm

P.31

Plan B – Briana Westmacott is a self-proclaimed “worrisome” parent. But all that worrying doesn’t stop her from reflecting fondly on her formative years involving a wagon, dirt bike and a rope. You go, girl.

Mad Science – Deltopia has been beaten into the ground, so to speak, but Rachelle Oldmixon opens her mind, analyzing the mass of humanity and groupthink that ignited violence and arrests. While reading it, think for yourself.

P.32

Weekly Capitalist – Jeff Harding knows money – and he knows too much is being spent irresponsibly on ancient chicken cups and paintings so hideous they could stop an 8-day clock. Will it ever end? (That’s a rhetorical question.)

P.33 P.34 P.35

Man About Town – She’s only 15 but has stormed the stage for years: Jamey Geston will be pickin’ and grinnin’ (again) at the SB Fair & Expo, so perk up your ears. ShopGirl – Where is Kateri Wozny? Is that a trick question? She’s rummaging through another consignment shop – the ultimate attic attack.

Keepin’ it Reel – It figures: Perpetually hungry movie critic James Luksic’s favorite film of the year is about food: The Lunchbox, delivered fresh from India. But he hated – wait for it – Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Sabotage. (Who knew?)

1993-2013

tickets

the granada theatre info: 899–2222 / operasb.org

photo: Kevin Steele / location: MUNICIPAL WINEMAKERS

P.37 P.38

Santa Barbara Skinny – This time around, the ladies’ guide to living right encompasses camping, organics and a new treatise by some hapless editor named Matt Mazza. Real Estate – As usual, Michael Calcag-knows it all: Try to stay focused as he sifts through the house market’s March facts and...Zzzzzzzzzzzz. Don’t worry Michael, we love you. What What?


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MAZZA’S MISSIVE by Matt Mazza

...continued from COVER

a non-profit leadership development program that is not only designed to enrich the county’s philanthropic community but also to educate younger folks – yeah, I know, “younger folks” is becoming a stretch for a guy like me – on the nuts and bolts of non-profit operations, fundraising and mentoring. It’s an awesome program. I really am honored to be a part of it, and I have learned more than I ever thought I might about our local philanthropic landscape. Two words: Very cool.

PIQE and THRIVE

The Katherine Harvey Fellows program proves a non-profit philanthropic effort can do everybody good.

put together by the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) fifteen years ago as a tribute to, you guessed it, Katherine Harvey, an influential local philanthropist in decades past. She became a member of the hugely important SBF back in the 1940s and was one of the first female

trustees. Ms. Harvey’s legacy lives on today in the KHF program, which is still within the SBF’s umbrella but run directly in partnership with another local non-profit stalwart, Leading from Within (I’ll stop with the acronyms.) KHF, at its core, is

One of the key components of the KHF experience is actually choosing an area non-profit, then raising funds to help support it. The 2013 KHF cohort is a collection of fifteen younger professionals (another stretch for me) from diverse backgrounds; some are from within the non-profit sector, others are in real estate or health care or banking or education or finance or (gasp) law. Each of us has a different perspective and background, and we all have different concepts of what, exactly, is important and in need of funding. So let’s just say that the non-profit selection process took some time. But that’s a good thing. Research, extensive research, was completed, passionate discourse was espoused, differences of opinion and perspective

A P R I L 1 9 – M AY 3 | 2 0 1 4

“The concept is to create a ‘college-going culture’ and to change the status quo for kids from low-income backgrounds by empowering the whole family.” were weighed and considered, all in a respectful and supportive environment. It was quite a process. And it worked pretty damned well. I’m pleased to announce, right here in this humble biweekly journal, that the 2013-14 Katherine Harvey Fellows have selected not one but two area nonprofits to support. They were chosen as a consequence of a well-earned and shared vision that success in school, especially early in school, is the best way to help ensure that kids – they are indeed our future – have the opportunity to reach their full potential. And if kids reach their full potential, then they become happy, productive (philanthropic) adults. And they raise happy, productive (philanthropic) kids. And their kids raise happy, productive (philanthropic) kids. ...continued p.13

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Columnists Shop Girl • Kateri Wozny | You Have Your Hands Full • Mara Peters Plan B • Briana Westmacott | Food File • Christina Enoch Journal Jim • James Buckley | Real Estate • Michael Calcagno Commercial Corner • Austin Herlihy | The Weekly Capitalist • Jeff Harding Man About Town • Mark Leisure | In The Garden • Randy Arnowitz ���������������� ������������������������������������ The Beer Guy • Zach Rosen | Elevator Pitch • Grant Lepper �������������������������������������� Girl About Town • Julie Zone • Jeremy Harbin ���The ���� ������� ������ ������� ������ ���� ����� �� �� �������� ����Bifano ���� | In Mad Science • Rachelle Oldmixon | Keepin’ It Reel • James Luksic ����������� ������ �������������� ��� ���������������������������������������� ������ ����� ����������� ����������� ���� ��������| Stylin’ �� ��������� Pump It • ����� Jenny Schatzle & Profilin’���� • Megan Waldrep ��������� Girl • Tommie Vaughn ������������������������������������ State Street Scribe • Jeff Wing | American ����� ����������� ��������� ��� ���� ���������� Tourist Town • Adam Cherry | Photographer • Wendi Mazza • Corey Sanders

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A P R I L 1 9 – M AY 3 | 2 0 1 4

Letters

Although you might not believe it, we actually want to hear from you. So if you have something you think we should know about or you see something we've said that you think is cretinous (or perspicacious, to be fair), then let us know. There's no limit on words or subject matter, so go ahead and let it rip to: Santa Barbara Sentinel, Letters to the Editor, 133 East De La Guerra Street, No. 182, Santa Barbara, California 93101. You can also leap into the 21st century and email us at letters@santabarbarasentinel.com.

Return of the Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax (Part Deux)

T

he Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently reported that many alarming effects from climate change are already occurring, and concluded that our greenhouse gas emissions must be rapidly reduced to avoid extreme changes in our climate. So, how can we quickly cut our emissions to reduce the severity of climate change? The use of carbon fuels produces most of our emissions; however, their current pricing does not reflect their enormous health, security and environmental costs. A carbon tax can fix these price distortions without using regulations or subsidies. The resulting market forces will create strong incentives for increasing energy efficiency and clean energy production, thus reducing emissions quickly. Making the carbon tax revenueneutral, by returning 100% of the tax proceeds equally to all households, will protect families and businesses from higher energy prices. A recent study found that enacting this type of tax in

California will increase prosperity and add hundreds of thousands of jobs. Let’s encourage lawmakers in Sacramento to enact a revenue-neutral carbon tax now to create a stronger economy and ensure a more livable climate for our children and grandchildren. John D. Kelley Santa Barbara (Editor’s Note: Thanks for the letter, John. I recall enjoying your prior Op-Ed piece on the benefits of the revenue-neutral carbon tax. (Do We Need A Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax?, Vol. 2, Issue 45.) I also recall Jeff Harding’s scathing response in the following issue. (A Tax Is A Tax Is A Tax: The Folly of a Carbon Tax, Vol. 2, Issue 46.) And then there was the subsequent bareknuckle brawl of a letter-writing campaign that culminated, if I remember it right, with the argument that, hey, the Canadians are doing a revenue-neutral carbon tax out in British Columbia and it actually looks

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Flushes Cruise Food and increases appetite for Craft F2T Fare.

Soothes the stomach and donates 10% to local charities.

Run and Get Some!

Before we get flushed down by the FDA.

THE O O S UISE CR or#3 #1 f

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by Zach Rosen

“IT’S JUST A SHOT AWAY” - ROLLING STONES

Tasting Notes from Mile High Conferences to Lucid Camping

S

idling up to the bar at Costa Terraza in the Santa Barbara Airport, I gazed out across the speckled tan expanse of stone and spotted the Yeti. No, not that Yeti. I ordered the beer quickly, lest I lose sight of the mythical creature. This roasty, rich Russian Imperial Stout comes from Great Divide Brewing Co. out in Denver. It was almost time to board my flight. As I finished my brew, the alcohol tones left warm expectations in my chest and the Yeti’s sharp, coffee bean finish put some pep in my step. Now I was ready to fly to the Mile High City for the 2014 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). Can I get a witness?

The Craft Brewers Conference

The CBC is hosted by the Brewers Association (BA) and is the largest annual conference for the beer industry in the U.S. The BA is the professional outfit for craft brewers, ingredient suppliers and beer retailers. It represents the craft beer

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Zach Rosen is a Certified Cicerone® and beer educator living in Santa Barbara. He uses his background in chemical engineering and the arts to seek out abstract expressions of beer and discover how beer pairs with life.

industry’s interests both to the public and the government. Each year the CBC is held in a different city and, this time around, about 7,000 industry members flocked to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver to talk beer. The conference always starts out with a welcoming reception. This year it was at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Thousands of beer professionals swarmed

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www.figmtnbrew.com Santa Barbara Taproom in the Funk Zone at:

Brew tasting at CBC almost feels like a lecture in Campbell Hall. Almost.

This was honestly the best I could do at The Cheeky Monk. It wasn’t that the place wasn’t visually cool – it was – but instead that I may have tasted too much of the brew. Damn those Belgians.

the Broncos’ stomping grounds to sample beers from around the country and tour the stadium. The main portion of the conference is the seminars. There were almost 100 lectures on everything from brewery sustainability and manipulating mash pH to workshops on emerging hop styles and the new malts coming from small, craft malt houses popping up around the country. BrewExpo America is the massive trade show that accompanies the CBC each year. The trade show features hundreds of vendors and gives industry members a chance to meet face-to-face with their suppliers. It also offers a glimpse into

cutting-edge technologies that will be entering the marketplace. This collection of shining tanks, equipment and new gadgets is fascinating to look at, but usually I am on the prowl for new ingredients that are entering the beer scene. In BrewExpo America, some hop growers will partner with a brewery to produce a single-hopped beer that exhibits well the character of that particular hop. I got to try Triskel, a new French hop, which has a white peach and pineapple character. Ella is an Australian hop that tastes of ruby-red grapefruit and cantaloupe but is said to get a floral, star anise quality in lower doses. Every two years, the BA also hosts the World Beer Cup (WBC) at the CBC. This international beer festival pits thousands of beers from around the globe against one another. The Central Coast did well at the WBC this year. Our very own (and much beloved) Figueroa Mountain won awards for its Danish Red Lager (Bronze) and Davy Brown Ale (Silver), and Firestone Walker won an award for their Wookey Jack (Bronze). Congratulations, guys!

When in Denver, Go Belgian

Whenever you visit a city, you should always check out the local breweries. Unless, that is, they have a world-class Belgian beer bar. Then you should go there. Over and over. That is exactly what I did in Denver. The Cheeky Monk has three locations throughout Colorado. These establishments specialize in offering ...continued p.13

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15•Days• a•Week We Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Love, Babe…

by Jeremy Harbin

Want to be a part of Fifteen Days A Week?

Space is limited, but if you have an event, exhibit, performance, book signing, sale, opening, trunk show or anything else interesting or creative that readers can attend, let us know at 805-845-1673 or email us at tim@santabarbarasentinel.com. We’ll consider all suggestions, but we will give extra consideration to unusual events and/or items, especially those accompanied by a good visual, particularly those that have yet to be published.

Saturday

Tuesday

Wine Time

Red Pill or Blue Pill?

April 19

So what’s in the news this week? Oh, really? Well, that’s not funny at all. How am I supposed to make a lighthearted joke about that? (This has been my attempt at writing monologue material for late-night television hosts. All showbiz insiders: Please forward my name to executives looking to make a splash with new “talent.”) Okay, now that I’ve got you, the audience, warmed up, on to the calendar events! Mmm… that’s the sound you’ll make once you’re sippin’ on that mighty fine wine at the Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting today at Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant (131 Anacapa Street). From noon to 4pm today, more than 50 local wineries will debut and sell for a 20-percent discount on new offerings. It’s hosted by the noses who knowses, master sommelier Brian McClintic and Les Marchands’ Eric Railsback. Get your $70 advance tix at www. lesmarchandswine.com.

Record Store Day

Record stores still exist?! People still listen to vinyl?! Ugh, yes, they do, person asking those questions, and I’m rolling my eyes at you SO HARD RIGHT NOW. Just flip over to page 24 to read all about Record Store Day and Warbler Records and Goods (131 East De La Guerra Street). Warbler opens its doors a half hour early today, at 10am, to start the RSD festivities, which will include Ventura band The Spires playing a set at 3pm and, of course, exclusive and limited-edition vinyl. Get there before the 180gram, hand-numbered (283/1,500), gold-and-purple swirl vinyl with a lock of Robert Johnson’s hair pressed into it gets snapped up by a record fan just that much more devoted than you.

Sunday April 20

That Don’t Make No Sinsemilla

Back down, you bunch of slackers; there’ll be no reference to the hippie lettuce here. I’ll take no part in your sad, empty drug culture or this made-up celebration of substance abuse. If you’re reading this and have no idea what I’m talking about, thank you, good sir or madam. That likely means you’re a contributing member of society in good standing with your neighbors and the law. Let me explain: A certain contingent of long-haired, drop-out marihuana fiends call today “Four-Twenty,” named for the date, April (the fourth month of the year) the twentieth. This icky-sticky ilk has stolen a perfectly fine day from the upstanding citizens of this great nation and turned it into a 24-hour herb festival of drug-fueled debauchery. I suggest to those who would prefer to spend today on the couch in a cloud of smoke that it’s a perfect day to take the first steps toward getting their lives back on track. Use this day not to inhale noxious hallucinatory fumes, but to instead apply for a job, perhaps. Maybe apologize to your parents. Take those left-handed cigarettes hidden away in your sock drawer and flush them down the toilet. Welcome to your new life. Now let’s go get some coffee, or maybe a beer and a burger.

Monday April 21

Third Monday

Wow: It’s Third Monday again already. Unbelievable. Where has the time gone? It seems like only a few Third Mondays ago I was a young college graduate, standing at the edge of a big, wide, welcoming world that was saying, “Come at me with all you’ve got. And if you do, I know you’ll be successful and make a name for yourself here. All it takes is a little hard work and determination. Trust me. I’m the world.” At least, that’s what I thought it was saying. But now here I am. What happened? Oh, Third Mondays, why are you so cruel? Wait, where am I? Did I black out again and claim the world was speaking to me? Sorry, folks, back to the business at hand: You know what we do on Third Monday; we go to a restaurant that’s open on Mondays to thank them for being open on Monday. Thank you, Natural Café; thank you for being open today at your many locations so I can eat a delicious, healthy meal. I think I’ll have the Zen Burger from the 5892 Hollister Avenue location in Goleta, please. See you there!

April 22

No one ever asks me about my process, but here’s a little look-see behind the 15 Days curtain anyways: I’ve got two different sentences going to open up this entry. Here they are: 1) If there’s one thing people say about me, it’s that I know a lot about art. 2) I’m going to be honest here; I don’t know anything about art. I think regular readers of this calendar should just choose the opening line they like the best and imagine how the rest of the listing would play out. What follows next is a guide for anyone who’s new to this column. Option 1: Some false bravado about my supposed art-world knowledge, yada yada, go to The Jane Deering Gallery this week before Elizabeth Alexander’s exhibit Mary Mary closes on Saturday, yada yada, joke, end. Option 2: No, really, I don’t know anything about art, yada yada, Elizabeth Alexander makes delicate-looking objects, collages and prints that you should go see for yourself, yada, joke, end. The gallery (128 East Canon Perdido Street) is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm.

Wednesday

April 23

Meaning of Life Encoded in a Calendar

With the title of that last one, am I insinuating that there’s something as heavy as The Matrix happening here in this calendar? Yes, yes I am. But the major 15 Days heads out there already knew that – are you one of them? (T-shirts coming soon on www.santabarbarasentinel. com.) Those who pay attention to this space know that I don’t just send you guys out to events chosen at random from a long list of publicity emails – no way! I’m painting a mosaic here, a cultural tapestry intended to illuminate secret universal knowledge. One faithful reader told me he went to each of the 15 events from this calendar once, and that it changed his life. He’s now worth about $20 billion, has a beautiful wife, five successful children and a yacht. Could the same happen to you? Yes! But it can’t if you don’t go to the opening night of The Theatre Group at SBCC’s Ground on campus at the Jurkowitz Theatre (900 block of Cliff Drive). It’s a play by Lisa Dillman, the award-winning playwright from Chicago, about a woman who goes back to her childhood home in New Mexico to find it changed by, you know, society and the government and whatnot. See more information and get your tickets at www.theatregroupsbcc.com.

Thursday April 24

Thirsty Thursday

You know what the problem with most beer is? It’s just not craft enough. It’s the same problem with cocktails. If I’m gonna drink one, you better believe it’s gonna be craft. And both better be handmade by a local tattooed artisan wearing a leather apron. (Bonus points if that beverage is made with an interest in sustainability, is vegan, gluten-free and locavore-friendly, but we’ll leave that for a different calendar item.) That’s when drinks are at their best; I think we’re all in agreement on this. So if you’re thirsty for a craft beer tonight, you’d be wise to head down to Cork n’ Crowns (32 Anacapa Street). They’re offering a flight of four of the craftiest barley pops known to man, and then going right ahead and adding four sliders from The Burger Bus alongside it. That’s called The 4x4 and it’ll cost you but 20 buckaroos. Sound good? Sounds great. (And don’t worry, winos; they’ll still be pouring the purple stuff.)


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Friday

Monday

Funk Zone (Not the One You’re Thinking of)

Wally World

April 25

Who here likes to get funky? If you do, prove it by putting down this paper, getting up out of your seat – no matter where you are – and busting a move. Make it a really long move. Bust that move for about 30 seconds to a full minute, long enough so that everyone around you (hopefully you’re in public) thinks you’re a real weirdo. Now sit back down and don’t move again until you finish reading every last word in this issue. Congratulations! You’re now ready to attend T.G.I.F. (that’s Thank God It’s Funky, of course) at Blue Agave (20 East Cota Street) tonight at 9:30pm. To help you get funky – appropriately this time, not in the middle of a restaurant like you did at lunch today, you freak – DJ Darla Bea will be spinning the 70s funk and disco you crave. It’s free for folks 21 and older.

Saturday April 26

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April 28

If you’ve set out for The French Table recently, you’ve noticed that’s now Piano Gastrolounge opposite the courthouse at 129 East Anapamu Street. (If you ordered, ate your meal, paid and didn’t notice, then this entry ain’t for you.) While you awaited your appetizer, perhaps some blue-fin crab cakes, you took note of and commented on the décor. The thing is, though, you were left wondering about the artist. You asked: Who made these largescale, iconographic portraits? Who silkscreened these multilayered, vibrant horses? Well, I’m here to tell you that’s the work of Santa Barbara’s own Wallace Piatt adorning the walls. (My dream is that someone reading this actually fits that description and can’t believe they’re having their questions answered right now. And if my online review-site research proves correct, I think the odds are in my favor.) So head down for lunch or dinner, enjoy a duck croquette, a burger or just some mac ‘n’ cheese, and check out Wallace’s art. He’s hung some older pieces, some new ones and some that incorporate found materials from Hammonds Beach.

Tuesday

Bobbing for iPods

April 29

Sunday

Everything I know about Homeland Security I learned from season one of Showtime’s Homeland. That’s the only season I’ve watched, because, let’s face it, why spend 12 hours on something when I can get the same itch scratched by reading a plot summary on Wikipedia in five minutes? I’m saying it’s not exactly the most complex show on television. I’m saying there’s no acting or atmosphere, just a slow, predictable death march toward an end point where nothing really happens except a set-up for season two. Want to watch something that might actually make you think about the complexities of domestic protection without causing you to glaze over like a mentally unstable spy listening to jazz? Then you’ll want to be in Antioch University Santa Barbara’s Community Hall (602 Anacapa Street) tonight from 5pm to 7 for a forum called How Can We Balance Homeland Security & Personal Privacy? This panel discussion with national security experts Andrew Liepman and Brian Michael Jenkins will be moderated by journalist Jerry Roberts. It’s free and open to the public.

Where I grew up, the school carnival meant you had to go stand in a gym with your classmates and wait in line for an adult to shove your head in a bucket of water. This was called “bobbing for apples.” If you happened to pull an apple out with your teeth, congratulations, that’s your prize from the carnival. You can take that home and eat it whenever you want. Well, it’s a good thing I moved here to Santa Barbara, where the school carnival means an entirely different thing. Take the 45th annual Montecito Union School Carnival, for example. It has a theme, “Seuss-tastic,” and it’s today from 10am to 3pm on the MUS campus (385 San Ysidro Road). Expect all sorts of innovations virtually unheard of in the Podunk town I clawed my way out of (truth be told, they asked me to leave): a rock-climbing wall, raffle prizes like a Disneyland trip and an iPod, food from places like Here’s the Scoop, a Ferris wheel and more.

April 27

We Heart Earth

All you earth haters can go ahead and buzz off, because today I’m going to the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. Why do you hate earth so much, earth haters? Look at all the good stuff the earth gives us: grass, apples, crabs, crab apples, trees, dirt, water. I could go on. What’s not to like? I say we all get on our bikes and pedal our precious little selves down to Alameda Park (1400 Santa Barbara Street) to commune with one another in love for the one and only Spaceship Earth, third rock from the sun – y’all with me on this one? You won’t believe the exhibitors (more than 200 of ‘em!), the food, the beer, the wine, the music or the much, much more. The festival started yesterday at 11am and continues today from 11am to 6pm. See you there – unless you hate the earth or something. Check out www.sbearthday.org for more info.

Security vs. Privacy

Wednesday April 30

Hostel was a Scary Movie

Elderhostel is a non-profit organization that, with their Road Scholar program, provides “travel and learning opportunities for older adults across the globe.” I have one question: They don’t make the senior citizens who go on these educational trips stay in hostels, do they? It’s just the name, right? I mean, not to generalize too much here, but these hostels are pretty scary places dominated by dreadlocked youth who’ll take the contents of your wallet the second you blink your eyes. Heck, once you get overseas, hostels are literally dive bars with beds. I can’t imagine my grandmother having to spend a night in one. These are the concerns you should bring up at tonight’s presentation on the Road Scholar program at 4pm at the Montecito Public Library (1469 East Valley Road). Go to www.sbplibrary.org for more information. This presentation is free.

Thursday May 1

High School Musical

I don’t like to get too personal here in the calendar, so what I’m about to tell you guys might come as a bit of a surprise. It’s relevant, though, to today’s event, so here goes: I have a son, his name is Danny and he’s a student at San Marcos High School (4750 Hollister Avenue). He’s terrible at academics, sports and, as we recently found out, drama, as well. His mother and I just don’t know what to do with him. When he failed to make the school’s spring play, Les Misérables, we thought about shipping him off to boarding school (haven’t yet, but still very open to it if anyone has any ...continued p.12


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Saturday

...continued from p.11

May 3

Sexy Stories

recommendations on that). We like the show, though, so we’ll be leaving him home tonight, locked in his room, and going to see the school’s production of Les Miz in the auditorium at 7pm. Tonight’s the opening night, but you can see it now, tomorrow or Saturday. If those dates don’t work, go see it next weekend. And, Danny, if you’re reading, your mother and I are very disappointed in you.

Friday May 2

Paleo No You Didn’t

Which one is the paleo diet again? Is that the one where you only eat bread? Or eat no bread at all? Is that the one where you count each calorie on an iPhone app that gives you “points?” Is that the one where you only eat when the moon is full – and then only consume three grapes every nine hours? I know I have friends on Instagram who post pictures of their dinner every evening with “#paleo” in the caption, but I just can’t remember what this diet is. I guess I should attend tonight’s talk to find out. Paleo expert Mikki Reilly will lecture as part of SBCC’s Continuing Education Program. So if you have a “primal urge” to lose a little weight and be healthier, register for the class for $10 at www.sbcc.edu/CLL and show up to the Tannahill Auditorium (on the Schott Campus, 310 West Padre Street) tonight at 7:30pm.

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Storytelling is ingrained in all of us. When our spouses and parents and roommates ask us how we spent our day, it’s only natural to respond with a linear tale, however dull or detailed, that starts somewhere around point Breakfast and ends at point And-Then-I-Came-Here-And-YouAsked-Me-How-My-Day-Was. It’s a buzzword with tote-bagging NPR types: storytelling has been elevated, with help from programs like This American Life and The Moth, to the level of piano playing or novel writing. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s the way we are; it’s how our brains work. Thatp impulse to project narrative onto the random and meaningless uninterconnected events of our mundane existences here on Rock Number Three is part of what makes us human. Put another way, to tell stories – and to hear and understand them – is to live. And then sometimes we just tell stories about sex. And that’s fine, too. (Could the argument be made that that’s what all stories are ultimately about?) The Ojai Storytelling Festival’s Naughty Tales event goes down tonight at 9:45pm at the Ojai Center for the Arts (113 South Montgomery Street). Izzi Tooinsky, Laura Simms, Niall de Burca and Cindy Kalmenson will tell tales for adults while you listen, drink wine and eat some food. Go to www.ojaistoryfest.org for tickets and more information.

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...continued from p.9

Epic Brewing Brainless fruit brews. I know, but I can’t share any of my photos of Lucidity with the general public. Let’s just say that the Tecate was flowing like, well, Tecate, and folks of all sorts were having a good time. And we’ll leave it at that.

not just a wide variety of Belgian beers (probably around a couple hundred) but, in particular, very rare Belgian beers. Fortunately, I was able to keep the bar bill under quadruple digits. Out of the far too many beers I tried there, one of the most impressive was Posca Rustica from the Dupont Brewery in Belgium. This is a gruit ale, meaning that it uses about a dozen spices as a preservative instead of hops. Posca Rustica had a peachy flavor with a minty, juniper and rosemary character. There was a fluffy, powdered mouthfeel reminiscent of marshmallows that I have only experienced in other gruit ales. Of course, you need some traditional Belgian food to go with all of these Belgian beers. On one of my visits to The Cheeky Monk I tried a copious serving

of Moule Frites with Gorgonzola cheese and Bacon alongside Brainless, a Belgianstyle Strong Golden Ale from the Denverbased Epic Brewing Co. The pile of mussels had a smokey character from the bacon that complemented the honey-malt flavors in the brew. Sweet apple and fruity ester tones in the Brainless grasped onto the Gorgonzola cheese notes drifting throughout the experience. The beer’s high alcohol content of 8.7% ABV helped cut through the richness of the crisp fries (accompanied by garlic aioli, no surprise there) and cream swishing around the bottom of the mussel pot.

Epic Beers

I later visited the nearby Epic Brewing. Nineties rap hits could be heard leaking

...continued from p.5

And so on. With that in mind, we chose to raise and donate funds to the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE – pronounced P-Kay) and THRIVE. PIQE provides educational programs to parents through public schools – novel concept, right? – helping them learn how to access services and advocate for their kids within the education system. The concept is to create a “college-going culture” and to change the status quo for kids from low-income backgrounds by empowering the whole family. PIQE has realized huge successes in North County and is now looking to expand further south in a couple schools (to start). They’d like to get into as many as six schools and hire a full-time staff member to oversee the implementation and operation of the South County programs. We’d like to help them. We’d also like to help THRIVE, which starts with improving school readiness for youngsters (I’m actually talking about youngsters now) and then, over time, continues with strategies that address college readiness for its participants and, ultimately, completion of college. THRIVE provides a real “cradle-tocareer” approach that has been proven effective and beneficial. We’re looking at helping them meet kindergarten-readiness needs in underserved communities (e.g., Isla Vista (go Gauchos!), Guadalupe and Santa Maria).

through the front door. I entered an airy room with décor that could teach a geometry lesson. Burnt umber wooden beams lined the area above the bar and white cylindrical and gigantic brushed stainless steel cones provided the room with lighting. Yellow and purple tulips colored the room and highlighted the lime green and salmon accents throughout the room. Couches and a fireplace along one of the walls gave the room a cozy feel. While sampling their different beers, I was most impressed with the Blue Ski Lager, a clean, fragrant Pilsner. They also were offering several fruit-aged versions of Brainless. One was aged with peach purée in French Chardonnay casks. It had a peach Creamsicle character with a lively Chardonnay note and soft, oaky mouthfeel. The Brainless aged with cherry purée in French red wine casks had a subtle grape tone and tannic finish with cherries coloring the flavors throughout. There was also a raspberry version that was not aged on oak, giving it a crisper and drier quality.

Off to Lucid Lands

I was having a great time in Colorado but duty called and I had to fly back and switch out my professional attire for flipflops and the torn, dilapidated clothes in my wardrobe. I pulled my tent and sleeping bag out of the closet and prepared to head to Live Oak Campground for the Lucidity Music Festival, where I Send me a note if you’re interested. I’d love to tell you more about what we’re trying to accomplish and how you can help. Peace. Love. Compassion. Action. Talk to you all next biweek.

“ The truth is that we are pretty damned generous as a group here in town, and we’ve got the wildly robust, STUFF I LIKE I like to give, baby, it just feels good. non-profit do-gooder And I really am thrilled to have met community to prove it.” and enjoyed the good company of the The goal is to raise $100,000, which will be shared between the two organizations on particular initiatives that we are now defining within the confines mentioned above. We’ve already raised nearly $50,000, thanks to a head-start provided by the SBF and Leading from Within, as well as a generous matching grant from individuals at the HuttonParker Foundation. And not only have I personally contributed to the cause, but so have all of my fellow Fellows. These are important causes, my friends, philanthropic endeavors for the long-term sustainability of not only our own unique local (educated, compassionate, giving) community but for the broader good, too. And I’d love nothing more than to see a groundswell of support – emotional and otherwise (economic would be fine, too) – from Sentinel loyalists.

Katherine Harvey Fellows. You can meet them and enjoy their company, too – as well as learn a a bit more about PIQE and THRIVE – at a little wine-and-cheese event we’ve put together for anybody who’s interested at the Montecito Bank & Trust Business Office at 14 East Carrillo Street, on Thursday, May 1, from 5-6:30pm. If you’re interested in attending, please send me an email to matt@santabarbarasentinel.com, and I will be sure to make it happen (space permitting, of course). I also love that people are buying my book, Leaving It All Behind. More copies have already sold than I ever imagined, and I truly appreciate the support. You can now find it at Chaucers, the Book Den, Tecolote and Curious Cup, with more locations to be added soon. Want a fun page-turner about travel and family and love and parenthood and smoking copious amounts of apple-flavored tobacco from a giant Turkish nargile after

was giving a presentation titled The Beer Universe. After setting up my tent, I was welcomed by friends with Tecates. The cold, crisp carbonation and mild sweetness cut through the dust in the air and immediately relaxed me. I was ready for three days of camping and music. Walking around the festival, it was clear that Tecate was the prominent beer; with that said, I was surprised by the variety of craft beers represented there, too. In one camp, our host welcomed us with Stone IPAs. Not bad. One of the interesting drinks I encountered at Lucidity was Jun, a honey drink fermented with aquatic cultures similar to Kombucha tea. There were two varieties: One was brewed with green tea and had a semi-sweet earthen character; the other Jun was brewed with hibiscus, frankincense and myrrh. The brilliant pink liquid had a tropical sweet flavor with a spicy finish. I tried a plethora of beers over my ten days of travel, but I have to admit that none were as satisfying or “good” as that first sip of Tecate after setting up my tent. It just goes to show that the flavors of rare Belgians and novel hops can only take you so far; the enjoyment of beer is a complex mixture of where you’ve been, where you’re at and where are you going. Cheers, everybody – it’s good to be home.

being assaulted in a filthy hamam behind a train station in Istanbul? If you said yes, then Leaving It All Behind is for you. Go pick one up and let me know what you think. Right on. I like other books too, and the people who write them… especially all you ladies out there. Good news for me, then, is that the Ninth Annual Women’s Literary Festival is happening at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort (633 East Cabrillo Boulevard) on Saturday, May 3, from 8:30am to 3:30pm. It’s all about promoting literacy, diversity and social justice – all of which are relevant to the main column above – and the featured authors are pretty damned impressive. Check out www.womensliteraryfestival. com for details. I’ll see you there. I’ll also see you at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, at Alameda Park. Everybody knows (or should know) about this one; it’s a blast every year and promotes local action with a global impact (also relevant to the broader column above). This year, there will be over 200 exhibitors (wow), food, beer, wine, music, education, fun and, of course, anybody who actually cares about the planet. A big thanks in advance to the Community Environmental Council for what is sure to be a terrific weekend. Go to www. sbearthday.org for all the info. Have a great biweek, everybody, much love.


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Santa Barbara’s Online Magazine, Published Twice Daily

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Milpas-Eastside Community Steps up to Embrace Better Health by Sharon Byrne

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hance conversations can provide seeds that produce amazing outcomes. I had a chance conversation in January with Luis Diaz of Milpas Chiropractic in the Milpas McDonald’s after a meeting. Diaz teaches at Santa Barbara Business College, and one of his subjects is community health. I wondered how you measure that? And how would we go about improving it? It turns out that we are embarrassingly rich in resources for healthy living on the Eastside. First, we have great markets: Tri County Produce, Trader Joe’s, Fresh Market, Fresh & Easy – where you can get organic produce, grains, wild-caught fish, supplements, and more. For fitness, we have Aggressive Soccer, personal trainers, the batting cages, fitness classes and more. We also have medical and well-being resources: Franklin Clinic, the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic, and Milpas Medical are all here, as is the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute. Add to that those pushing me to do a Milpas “Biggest Loser” competition to lose weight… well it all got rolled into the Milpas Healthy Community Initiative, whose big sponsor is McDonald’s. Cue the catcalls on McDonald’s, but they do offer healthy items on their menu. When I travelled a lot for business, and despaired over poor airport food choices, my go-to solution was a fruit and yogurt parfait and a bottle of water from McDonald’s. The hardest part of losing weight is dining out – you have to navigate past a sea of temptation to find the healthier items. Make it easier on us, please! McDonald’s separated out their healthy choices on their menu for the Healthy Community Initiative. They also have a McFit program for their employees. I met Claudia Hernandez, the manager of the Milpas McDonald’s, who lost 20 pounds on that program. She’s gorgeous. And tiny. And she got that way while working at McDonald’s! Dave Peterson, the owner, is a fit Mortgage and healthySolutions guy. He connected us with Choo ChooFor – aYou! tall, slender nurse from Designed

Sharon Byrne

Sharon Byrne is executive director for the Milpas Community Association, and currently serves on the Advisory Boards for the Salvation Army Hospitality House and Santa Barbara County Alcohol and Drug Problems.

sbview.com Claudia Hernandez of Milpas McDonald’s with giveaways at Milpas Moves! event.

Cottage Hospital that oversees weight loss programs for their employees. We thought we had the start of something that could be really fun and healthy for this community. So we kicked it off April 12 with the Milpas 1000 Challenge – we’re losing 1,000 pounds on the Milpas-Eastside. Cottage nurses were on-site on that cold, foggy Saturday morning to weigh us, advise us on healthier habits, and give us support materials. Teams from the neighborhood signed up for the challenge. When you lose 10 pounds, you’re eligible for a drawing for prizes like a brand-new bike from Hazard’s, a $100 shopping trip at Tri County Produce, gorgeous gift basket from Fresh Market, massage from the Body Therapy Institute and more. After weigh in, it was time for Milpas Moves! We’re bringing a free workout class every month to the neighborhood and moving together as a community. Casa De La Raza brought in a Zumba class that kicked mine and Monique Limon’s butts. People from 6 to 75 were out there moving to Latin dance music, doing Salsa moves on steroids. It was a total blast! Being a gym rat… well… it’s just not appetizing for some of us. So we want to introduce the community to fun fitness activities with free classes! If you like the class, you can take more of them right here on the Eastside. The Zumba classes

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Esteban Ortiz teaches first Milpas Moves! Zumba.

at Casa De La Raza are only $5 Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm. That’s fitness everyone can afford. Want to get in on it? Weigh in at the Milpas McDonald’s on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 6 pm. The next Milpas Moves! is May 17 from 9-11 am. We weigh in 9-10 am, and work out 10-11 am. Follow the Milpas Community Association on Facebook, so you can stay abreast of all the offerings. It’s free and fun!

Take it Fresh & Easy with Wild Oats selections.

Oats intends to one-up and then blow past them. The first change at Fresh & Easy is that it has brought in Wild Oats organic milk and eggs. So that puts them on a straight par with Horizon. But Wild Oats then created an unusual competitive differentiator. Typically, eggs arrive in stores weeks, even months after being laid. Not for Wild Oats – their “Just Laid” eggs are delivered to the store within 72 hours of being laid! There is actually a “laid on” date stamp on each eggshell. Customers are demanding more locally sourced foods, and want to know more about their food’s origins. Wild Oats is clearly responding. The cage-free Wild Oats hens eat vegetarian feed and drink a special formulation of mineral-fortified water for thicker eggshells. Wild Oats locally sources the eggs within 50 miles of the store to ensure freshness. Now that’s fresh! In another bold step ahead into national organic food distribution, Fresh & Easy is now offering Wild Oats 100% USDAcertified organic single-serving salads and sandwiches. I sampled the Beef Fajita and Veggie Salad sandwiches, and they’re tasty. Fresh & Easy is the first store in the U.S. to offer fully certified, organic singleserving salads and sandwiches, which is pretty spectacular. Best of all, you can get ‘em right here on Milpas Street. Bring on the healthy eating and a healthier community!

Fresh & Easy Carving Out Bold New Organic Terrain

Can’t Break This Habit

hose of you that thought Fresh & Easy was on the ropes, closing, or going down… get ready for a pleasant surprise. You might remember that several Fresh & Easy stores were bought out by Wild Oats, ours here in Santa Barbara included. I’ve been keeping up with changes at our local Fresh & Easy, and after a conversation with friendly store manager John, who donated all the bottled water for our first Milpas Moves! event, I am feeling downright optimistic. Wild Oats has an interesting marketing strategy, and their intended vehicle to execute that strategy is Fresh & Easy. The organic grocery business is still fairly young, regionally based and somewhat limited. You find a great organic product here, but it’s not available in the next town, and certainly not one state over. Only Horizon distributes organic foods nationally, and their focus is dairy. Wild

rent and Bruce Reichard, owners of The Habit on lower State Street, know a lot about burgers, but policing, social work and sanitation were outside of their expertise until they decided to reclaim the block where the restaurant is located. Realizing their food service and ‘captive’ audience of patio diners was contributing to the growing number of young urban drifters in front, drunks and drug sales in back, and trash and cups in the streets, they did what successful entrepreneurs always do: they found a solution. Gone, today, are the vacuous vagabonds of urban yoachers, gone are those who used the garden circle as their urinal, who shot-up in the shadows of back alleys, and others who fished out empty cups to bilk “free” refills from the soda machines. It’s what can happen when all of the “gatekeepers” trade keys and share the combination to unlock the doors of

T

by Loretta Redd

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The Habit, which is often hoppin’ with creatures of habit.

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Loretta Redd’s diverse background includes being a psychologist, business owner, non-profit director, Air Force officer, writer, speaker, and executive coach. Loretta has served on several Santa Barbara city committees and has been a candidate for public office.

Loretta Redd

sbview.com

possibility. First, the brothers found a local advisor with knowledge of the area and connections to various groups, both enforcement and non-profit types. Then they called a series of meetings with the interested parties and created action items. Rather than creating another program to rescue those on the street, rather than bemoaning that nothing had ever worked before, rather than complaining about how slow government was to react, or fearing their actions might be considered police brutality, they focused on their one block of State Street. What was the source of the problem, what made this an inviting block for misbehavior, what were the liabilities and limits of their authority, and who can make things happen? Spontaneous solutions began to fly like synergistic popcorn... the guys from the parking garage recommended fencing the circle, which would let the greenery grow and dissuade its use as a porta-potty. Signs were erected that the dark alleyway between Blush, Dargan’s and The Habit was under camera surveillance (why not – they’re everywhere from traffic lights to ATMs) to reduce the drug commerce

occurring there. Then the artist who installed the brick “wall” in front of The Habit was invited to consider a new, more visible and artistically appreciated location... though for now, it remains encircled with yellow construction tape. Artistic expression, yes, but I doubt the creator envisioned his work as the Greyhound bus stop bench it had become. The garbage cans, once easily accessed by poachers and pigeons, sidewalk sitters and seagulls, have been replaced with those at Lake Tahoe, where trash attracts 500-pound black bears as customers. These new trash containers require the contortion of Cirque du Soleil to successfully excavate a drink cup. Over the course of a couple of weeks, The Habit is no longer in-habit-ed. Without heavy-handed police presence or sidewalk bouncers, without council declarations or new ordinances, without denying anyone’s civil rights, this small group of dedicated citizens, business owners, and organizations formed a tiny army of determination and took back their block of State Street. It would appear those lost souls who had helped create an environment of intimidation and illegal behavior have completely dispersed, not just moved to the next block. But if re-congregate, there’s now a menu of delicious action items the Reichard brothers have helped create for other business owners to select from. And for those still on the street, there may be a job at The Habit waiting, whenever you decide to seek the programs that are available to get cleaned up and back to work. They’d love to have you... we all would.

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www.presidiosports.com Presidio Sports is a provider of local sports news and information for the Santa Barbara community. Founded in 2008, the small team at Presidio has covered hundreds of local sporting events and published thousands of articles connected to Santa Barbara’s athletic community. Please visit their website for more local sports news and information.

Dons Trio Claims All-City MVPs

by Barry Punzal

Dons’ Jack Baker and Noah Burke earn Co-Players of the Year honors on the hardwood.

I

t was a common sight at a Santa Barbara High boys basketball game: Jack Baker blocking a shot at one end of the court, and Noah Burke racing up the other end and feeding a trailing Baker for a layup or a dunk. The two seniors had a great connection, and it rubbed off on their teammates. Santa Barbara’s competency at sharing the basketball was one of the reasons it went 12-0 in the Channel League, 26-4 overall and advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) 3A Division semifinals. Baker and Burke were the primary forces behind the Dons’ up-tempo, wideopen style of play. Presidio Sports is pleased to name Baker and Burke as CoPlayers of the Year on the All-City Boys Basketball team. Baker and Burke did it all for the Dons. The 6-foot-6 Baker led the team in scoring (12.3 ppg), rebounding (16.4), blocked shots (4.6) and assists. Burke, the team’s point guard, averaged 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals. “Noah knew this year that he and Jack would have to play well for us to be

successful,” Santa Barbara assistant coach Andy Gil said. Gil said Burke’s confidence and leadership skyrocketed after he made a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to beat San Marcos during his junior year. “He came off the bench last year and was a great defender, but this year he learned to really score. He’s a tough matchup because he can go inside and outside and, for being so small, is a tremendous rebounder.” Baker was a force at both ends of the court. Defensively, he had an uncanny ability to block shots and not commit fouls. He ran the court, handled the ball and attacked the basket. “He is very difficult to match up with because he is a 6-6 slasher that really gets up and down the court, and can dribble and pass much like Magic Johnson,” said Gil. “Jack had huge games last year as a junior, but this year he was phenomenal on the defensive end with almost five blocks a game.” Gil said Baker told the coaching staff before the season that he wanted “to be the man this year. And he was.” Based upon on-court performance and

team leadership, each All-City selection will receive a special award certificate and be recognized online at PresidioSports. com and in print in the Santa Barbara Sentinel. The entire All-City Basketball Team will be recognized at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Cafe on Monday, April 21.

All-City Boys Basketball Team

Isaiah Tapia, senior, Santa Barbara: His nickname is “Rat,” but “Dagger” would be more fitting because his longdistance, 3-point shots were like sticking a dagger in opposing teams. He averaged 13 points a game. Omar Miranda, junior, Carpinteria: He was the fearless floor general in the up-tempo attack for the Frontier Leaguechampion Warriors, averaging 13 points and five assists. His quick hands and feet also made him a good defender. He averaged three steals a game. Elijah Johnson, senior, San Marcos: His quickness and athleticism made him a handful for opponents. He led the Royals in scoring at 15.3 ppg, including a season-high 31-point outburst in a win over Buena. The Royals were 6-0 when Johnson scored 20 or more. Bryce Ridenour, senior, San Marcos: Although he missed some Channel League games after suffering a concussion, Ridenour’s body of work was noteworthy “He had a tough Channel League but was great before and after; he was our best in the two CIF playoff games,” said coach Dave Odell. For the season, he averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game. Grant Sexton, senior, Bishop Diego: He contributed in several areas for the Cardinals, who advanced to the CIF 5AA semifinals. “Grant became an overall basketball player this year, contributing with assists and rebounds,” coach Dean Prophet said. Sexton led the team in scoring at 9.8 ppg. Spenser Wyatt, junior, Laguna Blanca: Wyatt was “one of the best pure shooters Laguna Blanca has had in the last seven years,” said his coach Sal Rodriguez. “He

All-City Girls Player of the Year Amber Melgoza averaged 22 points.

won several games for us with his 3-point shooting and was a great floor leader. He averaged 11 points and three assists. The Owls reached the CIF Division-6 semifinals.

Girls

Amber Melgoza took on the responsibility of being the go-to player for Santa Barbara High and the role proved to be a perfect fit for the sophomore. Melgoza averaged 22.1 points and led the Dons to a historic season. They won their first CIF-Southern Section title, a regional title and advanced to the CIF State Finals for the first time. She averaged 30 points during the team’s magical 9-1 playoff run, scoring 40 points in a quarterfinal game and 38 in the Southern Section final. Presidio Sports is pleased to recognize Melgoza as the Player of the Year on the All-City Girls Basketball team. Melgoza stepped up from her role as a rebounder during freshman year on varsity to becoming the primary scorer for the Dons. She showed that she could score from anywhere on the court. She made 46 percent of her two-point baskets and shot 33 percent on 3-pointers. When the shots weren’t falling, she found a way to get to the free-throw line, where she shot 76 percent. She also remained a force on the boards, averaging a team-best 7.9 rebounds per game. Melgoza’s competitive spirit and drive to get better was a big part of the Dons’ success. It also helped having teammates who were able to get her the ball in position to score.

Girls All-City Basketball Team

Desirea Coleman, senior, Santa Barbara: Coleman was converted from a post player to a point guard and shined in the position, especially during the postseason. Her leadership and court savvy were instrumental in the Dons winning so many big games. She averaged 11 points, five assists and 2.7 steals. Jocelin Petatan, junior, Santa Barbara: She provided good ball handling, oftentimes leading the fast break. She averaged 7.1 points, 2.8 assists and five rebounds. Petatan also played tough defense. Jada Howard, sophomore, Santa Barbara: Howard had an uncanny knack


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of picking off passes and making steals on the press. She averaged 3.3 steals a game. She also contributed greatly on offense, slipping inside for baskets or knocking down 3-pointers. Jordyn Lilly, junior, Bishop Diego: Lilly did it all for the Cardinals, helping them reach the CIF 5AA quarterfinals. She averaged 18.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals. Lilly was dynamite in CIF, scoring 38 points in two of the four playoff games while averaging 33 points. Emi Parker, senior, Dos Pueblos: A solid, aggressive player who did whatever it took to help her team win. Parker was a first-team All-Channel League selection and led Dos Pueblos in scoring.

Sports Figure of the Month: Becky Aaronson by Randy Weiss It was a simple request. “If you have a passion to share with kids – we are looking for instructors to teach after-school enrichment programs.” Well, parent Becky Aaronson’s response to this email inquiry for new creative energies was about to set Roosevelt Elementary School, on a new course, so to speak: “The idea of a running club came out of the blue,” Aaronson said. “But that simple request sparked something inside me. I then wanted to create a really special running program for the Roosevelt kids.” And she was off to a fast start! With Coach Becky – as she is known on this Santa Barbara upper-eastside campus – leading the charge, the Roosevelt Running Club launched in the fall of 2012 with 17 young aspiring athletes (in

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Becky Aaronson, Sports Figure of the Month, got the Roosevelt club up and running.

Roosevelt Running Team at the Mission

Irish017 Wins NCAA Contest

Despite not earning any points in the final two rounds, Irish017 won the secondannual Santa Barbara NCAA Bracket Contest presented by Presidio Sports and Santa Barbara Brewing Company. In fact, just one of the 68 contestants picked either UConn or Kentucky to even make the championship game, much less become national champions. The only bracket to earn points in the final two rounds was “Black Mamba”, which had Kentucky in the title game against Virginia. Irish017, who picked 40 of 63 correctly, struggled early on, losing his first Final Four team, Duke, in the first round. But the bracket, dubbed “Purdue”, picked up steam in the later rounds thanks to UConn. Of the hundreds of thousands of brackets filled out on ESPN.com, only 0.4% of contestants predicted UConn to make the Final Four. Irish17 benefitted greatly from being in the select group. The first-place champion will receive a $100 gift card to Santa Barbara Brewing Company. Additional prizes for the top finishers come from Natural Café, Santa Barbara Running Company, and Spa del Mar at the Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort.

A P R I L 1 9 – M AY 3 | 2 0 1 4

A member of Roosevelt Running Club takes it all in stride.

Grades 3 through 6) eager for training. Now several seasons… 3,000 miles… and nearly 100 young participants, so far (expanded to grades 1 through 6) later… Aaronson is named our latest Sports Figure of the Month for her passion in designing and delivering this creatively customized model of encouraging healthy lifestyle choices – blending exercise, nutrition, motivation and inspiration – for local kids. “Our public schools are as strong as our volunteers,” shares Donna Ronzone, Ph.D., now in her tenth year as Roosevelt’s principal. “Becky is a wonderful example of someone bringing her expertise to our kids. She gives freely of her time and her talents.” This spotlight award arrives on the heels of the 33rd Annual Rose Run (Friday, April 18), the jog-a-thon fundraiser that financially fuels campus programs ($128K raised in 2013) via the Roosevelt Elementary School Foundation (REEF). The temporary track is among the most pristine real estate on the planet – around the beautiful (A.C. Postel) Rose Garden across from the majestic Old Mission. For Roosevelt Running Club members, it’s a showcase event for newfound running skills, but the Club, itself, strives to offer much, much more than transforming runners into peak performers, per its informational flyer. “The Roosevelt Running Club is all about celebrating fun and fitness and what makes us strong and unique. We will be inviting top athletes in our community to give motivational talks throughout the season and share their life experiences with the team. Our goal is to get the kids fired up about setting goals, dreaming big and

harnessing their “inner amazing-ness.” This eight week after-school program is offered twice yearly: in the fall and, again, in the spring. The current session continues through May 31 and the team goal, as always, is for each runner to complete a full marathon over the course of the season. “This ‘marathon’ is challenging, yet doable,” says Coach Becky. “Eight of the miles will be done in practice. The remaining 18.2 miles are to be completed during family/friend time, P.E. or recess. Running buddies (friends, siblings, parents) are encouraged.” She easily shares credit for the club’s success with others – like husband and cocoach, Jeffrey, and their daughter Olivia, who is already in her fourth season. Plus special people like Mindy Wolfe, Jen Mansbach, Stella Pynn, Jen Brown and Kent Mixon (a parent with twin girls who always brings fun energy), along with Jane Bartholomew, Vanessa Willett, Monica DeVreese, Rusty Snow, Lindsay Schwartz, Amanda George, Liz Groom, Len Miller, and Andrea McClarty – they’re coaches, runners, motivational presenters and parent volunteers who further enrich this enrichment program. “Becky Aaronson has a vision of every child’s great potential and shares her passion for fitness, goal setting and inspiration through the Roosevelt Running Club,” shares Wolfe. “She includes an adult speaker each week to inspire her runners by sharing their particular story of goal setting, practice, striving and accomplishment. She has had all types of athletes speak, from the Roosevelt parent who does the local triathlon to Olympic hopefuls who have persevered their entire career to reach their goals.” And Coach Becky likes to sprinkle in fun incentives along the way – none bigger than the small, plastic feet tokens – one for each mile recorded on the mileage chart. “They make great awareness necklaces,” she adds with a smile. “The kids wear these with pride around campus and it often promotes interest in other students.” The Magic Mile Fun Run culminates their season on May 21. Safe to say that Coach Becky has truly

found her niche – savoring the benefits of her early roots – growing up in Portland, Oregon, with three older brothers who pushed her in new directions. “All throughout my life, running has been at the center of the activities that I’ve enjoyed the most,” she states. Now, in addition to her own training and her Roosevelt Running Club, she also coaches two other local youth running clubs: Santa Barbara Kids Corner Coyotes and Girls in Motion. She has also just joined forces with Girls Inc. to help coach their new Summer Triathlon program. “There are lots of people who can run … there are lots of people who can coach … and there are people who are good with kids,” says Jen Brown, REEF’s 2014 Rose Run co-chair. “But Becky has it all. She has the unique ability to make it fun for all levels of runners.” And for Coach Becky, it’s also about “giving back” – a powerful lesson learned at age 12 while handing out water bottles in the rain with her team to participating runners in the Trails End Marathon in Seaside, Oregon. With the blossoming of her own running skills years later in 1998 and her first New York Marathon – she’s paced her philanthropy stride-for-stride in running with passion and purpose. She’s raised over $70,000 for special causes, to date – including cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in memory of numerous friends and relatives, including both her parents who died of cancer at early ages. And Coach Becky is also a seasoned writer in real life, with many works in progress and even a running blog. Yes, our newest Sports Figure of the Month serves as a role model for her passionate commitment to the sport of running and for planting early seeds of healthy habits that will have life-long impact with this next generation of student-athletes. And with their entire life (and Rose Run) before them, there’s really only one thing left to say to these young stars: On your mark… Each Month, Presidio Sports recognizes a local sports figure for his or her extraordinary contribution to the Santa Barbara athletic community. A special thanks to American Riviera Bank for making the award possible.


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Frankly, I think it’s best if we just leave it STUPID! Like, seriously stupid, dude. I mean, at that. D-O-N-E. Done. As I did before, though, I suggest that what the hell? Now, I don’t mind the work so much. anybody interested in this reasonably – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew Winner Cheers, Wesley & the Crew It sure beats digging through the trash for balanced–carbon taxBob concept contact youWinehound recyclables while constantly looking over directly (well, indirectly, I suppose, through Largest selection of Central Coast and my shoulder for Officer Hill or Van Eyke, me, in this column). Personally, I like it. sparkling wines in Santa Barbara though honestly talking to the rummies A lot. Any plan to (1) tax the hell out of * Free gift wrap on all bottles * bastards that treat artful tax-dodging as in Chase Palm did tend to break up the a “profit center” while I cough up my last dayinnaer little bit. Heck, my new boss even W hard-earned dollars every damned April has some pretty good churros delivered to – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crewinner office (that woman is a genius). I don’t 15Largest and (2) redistribute W selectionthe of collected Centraldough Coast the and inner want doesn’t to mysparkling family eand friends is right up my n r wines in Santa Barbara to get into specifics as my job W n i W alley, especially at this time of cold, unfair, have many people who read the Daily Largest selection of Central Coast and Free gift wrap on all bottles * inner inequitable, * bureaucratic, W governmental Capitalist or need a shopping report and sparkling wines in Santa Barbara Winner neerr in W year. (I know, I’m a little negative. Let’s I’d just as soon they didn’t know that I was n Win * Free gift wrap on all bottles * just say my tax planning wasn’t exactly on consorting with newspaper people. I’ve Central er Wesley & the Winehound LargestLargest selectionselection of CentralofCoast and Coast and point –inCheers, WinnBob Crew got a reputation to protect here. 2013. Or we could say that the Largest selection ofwines Central Coast and Winner selection of sparkling in Coast Santa and BarbaraEven More sparkling wines in Santa Barbara 3849Largest State St. Santa Barbara • Central (805) 845-5247 Wines! Plentiful Now, within capitalism remains a germ damned man is Easy actively&stealing fromParking! me. sparkling wines in Santa Barbara * Free wrap on all bottles * –sparkling Cheers,*Bob the wines in FreeWesley gift wrap onWinehound all Santa bottles *onBarbara *&Free gift wrap Crew all bottles * Frankly, I prefer the latter. Wheregift theWhell inner of creativity, and even creative destruction, * Free gift wrap ** Free Free gift gift wrap wrap on on all all bottles bottles ** on all bottles * was I?) I say do the whole revenue-neutral that I would not see expunged. Having carbon tax thingy already, eh, and bring Largest selection of Central Coast and said that, even Bill Gates has noted that me a 24-ounce Canadian while capitalism means we have great treatments sparkling winesMolson’s in Santa Barbara – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew at it. it all will dull *the pain of for erectile dysfunction but nothing for giftMaybe wrap on bottles – Cheers, Bob Wesley & wrap the Winehound Crew * you’re* Free *this Free gift• (805) wrap845-5247 on all bottles * Free gift on all bottles malaria. There is *a flaw in the ointment, economic ruin. (Wait, is about global 3849 State St. Santa Barbara – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew r ne Win and I do not think anyone is well served by warming, too? Double bonus.) Thanks Cheers, Wesley 3849 State St. – Santa BarbaraBob • (805) 845-5247& the Winehound John,Crew glad to hear about this again. – continuing to deny that. Not the folks up Largest selection Central Coast Crew and – Cheers, Wesley of & the Winehound on the hill and not the folks down in the MSM)Bob sparkling wines in Santa Barbara alleys. Although I am not atheist myself, * Free gift wrap on all bottles * Mac Attack cannot blame anyoneCrew overmuch for – Cheers, Bob Wesley &I the Winehound – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew being so. However, the potential absence Dear Mr. Mazza, miss me? 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 Well, I know Ginger John missed me. of a loving God only creates a vacuum – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew He 3849 St. State St. Barbara Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 was berating me the other day for not which humanity should feel obligated to 3849 State Santa • (805) 845-5247 having written a letter to you for too long. fill. Simply because the fabric of reality is 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 3849 State Barbara • (805) 845-5247 Oh,St. andSanta John, the definition of berate is to provably indifferent to suffering does not scold someone angrily. Actually, you were give us leave to be as well. Surely some methodology can be pretty cool about it and I do appreciate discovered whereby algorithms of resource the encouragement, but you see I use these 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 words sometimes for dramatic effect. Not allocation allow not only significant everybody picks up on that, but I know rewards to those whose cleverness, skills and hard work receive great reward, but you do. Well pardner, guess who got a job? Me, at the same time those among us who that’s who. Of course I am still as poor as respond to the inescapable terror and grief a church mouse, but unlike a lot of the of mere existence with less acumen than New Students Only. McJobs out there, this one does have the the rest of us are not additionally made potential to make me enough money to to face the agonies of exposure and social get me off the street, which would be rejection beyond what is actually required a profoundly welcome development. to maintain a civil society. I refuse to More than that, though, the expanding believe that. I simply do. Capitalism too often refuses to recognize economy’s inclusion of a fella like me into its workforce has provided me with a keen the value of important things by reducing DiviniTree.com insight I am hoping to share with your everything to measurable quanta of 25 E. De la Guerra St. 93101 readers if you would be so kind as to print economic output. Perhaps I do not need to explain that to a man who is only able my letter. Please understand that while I am to publish his beloved newspaper every not a classically trained economist, I fifteen days. Perhaps I do. 1431 San Andres Street Mac McGill, Capitalist think most of those guys are profoundly Santa Barbara qualified douchebags anyway, and yet I (Editor’s Note: I actually enjoyed that, do happen to feel that my own analysis is not without a pertinent value to Mac, quite a bit. And if I were being honest, current economic conditions. My hope I would admit that I had to use a dictionary is to present my theory of the inescapably for a word you employed to ensure my full stochastic fiduciary realities that govern understanding of your smile-provoking rant. the general welfare, and may have direct (I mean that in only the best way, seriously.) bearing on issues of inequality that have And so, I suppose, in some strange way that long been, and currently remain, issues of I’d prefer not to discuss, that I did miss you. not insignificant socioeconomic concern Thanks for writing. Oh, and congrats on the gig… I think. that generate much of the political schism so troubling to the intrinsically adversarial I just took one myself and am excited but, process that has defined democratic wow, it sure is a lot of work. Chatting with republics since their origins in classical the rummies in Chase Palm might not be the end of the world. – MSM) Greece. santa barbara®

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The Pacifica Experience

A P R I L 1 9 – M AY 3 | 2 0 1 4

MONDAY MAY 5

Photo credit: Santa Barbara Helicopter Tours

JOIN US FOR A ONE-DAY INTRODUC TION to Pacifica’s Masters and Doctoral Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Somatic Studies, the Humanities, and Mytholocial Studies THE COMPREHENSIVE DAY-LONG PROGRAM ON MAY 5 includes classroom presentations, meetings on the individual degree programs, information on admissions and financial aid, campus tours, and time to interact with faculty, students, and staff. The $60 registration includes breakfast, lunch, and a $25 gift certificate at the Pacifica Bookstore. PACIFICA GRADUATE INSTITUTE is an accredited graduate school offering degree programs informed by the tradition of depth psychology. Pacifica’s two campuses lie between the coastal mountains and Pacifica Ocean a few miles south of Santa Barbara. Tranquil and beautiful, they are ideal settings for contemplation and study. Photo credit: Santa Barbara Helicopter Tours

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2014

Deltopia 2014

IV was remarkable that day from a distance. I took these from the old whirlybird just a few hours before all hell broke loose and thought I’d share. Hope all is well. Dan Casey Santa Barbara Helicopters (Editor’s Note: Great to hear from you, Dan, hope business is solid. I still think about that heli-ride with you and friend/photog extraordinaire Corey Sanders, fun times. Come to think of it, maybe you should start taking Corey and I up with some vino every morning, and we’ll do a spoof on Santa Barbara traffic and weather. Just a thought. Sort of a Ron Burgundy job on the old northbound 101. (“Stay classy, Santa Barbara. Whammy.”) Anyway, Dan, even though this got way off topic, thanks for writing in, man. Have a great biweek. – MSM)

Register for the May 5 Pacifica Experience at 805.969.3626, ext. 103 or www.pacifica.edu

Pacifica is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). For Dept. of Education Gainful Employment Information, visit pacifica.edu/GainfulEmployment.

249 Lambert Road, Carpinteria, California 93013

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with Julie Bifano Ms Bifano is drawn to micro-fiction and is currently writing her first novel – “The Grace Below.” She has a B.A. in English with an emphasis in writing from the University of San Francisco and a M.F.A. in Creative Writing, also from the University of San Francisco. More of Julie’s stories and poetry can be viewed on her website juliebifano.com.

Going, Going, Green Co-owner of Juice Well, Sharon Egan with co-owner of Juice Well, Shannon Kiefer. The Loa Tree leaders, Eric Cardenas, Riley Hubbell and Dave Forston have a blast bringing all different types of people together to support Earth Day.

CEO of Loa Tree, Dave Forston, with Loa Tree production administrator and organizer of the Earth Day benefit, Riley Hubbell.

Katie Nichols, Jefferson Litten and Lennon Thomas are excited for the upcoming Earth Day!

Hugh Kelly, Jasper Eiler and Brook Eiler enjoy supporting Earth Day.

A

cool April breeze swept through the palm fronds on Anacapa Street, making the green fronds sway gently back and forth. I was underneath a massive yellow tent for Loa Tree’s Green Drinks event in support of the upcoming Earth Day. Chatting with the event organizer, Riley Hubbell, I learned a little more about Green Drinks and what Loa Tree (www.loatree.com) does in our environmentally conscious community. Riley, an energetic, young woman explained Loa Tree’s mission, which is to profile change makers, build community, and inspire action. She stated, “This is an awesome representation of an event that brings together people from all different pockets of the community.” I began to notice this event really did bring together people from all different walks of life. There were businessmen in suits and artists twirling around in front of hip duo Adam Phillips and Ray Pannell’s acoustic rock music. People were actually drinking green juice. Somewhat leery of a green drink,

Sandy Garcia and Lauren Temkin pause for a quick photo op after tasting some of the organic hors d’ oeuvres. Yum!

Natalie Wagner and Matt Dobberteen love to help benefit Earth Day.

I meandered with Riley over to the Juice Well (www.wejuicewell.com) stand, and decided to test the juice for myself. It didn’t taste like vegetables! Co-owner Sharon Egan explained that in addition to fresh, local veggies, they also use apple and ginger in their green drink, making it less veggie and more tasty. To the left of the band, there was a white canvas partially painted. I went up to the canvas to get a closer look. There was a lovely sketch of flowers and an

unfilled-in message, “Happy Earth Day.” Whitney Castro was standing at a table with a plethora of pastel paint colors. She explained that this was called a “live painting,” wherein the artist (in this case, Whitney) starts painting a sketch that she has created. Eventually, other attendees of the event come up and paint different parts of the sketch. In the end, you get an incredibly eclectic, unique piece of art. The “live painting” was sort of what Riley had explained when I first arrived about different people coming together to support Earth Day. Working together, beautiful events and creations can occur. Imagine if we all got together and picked up one piece of trash a day? That could create a clean city. Taking it to a broader

Fun attendees, Romi Cumes and Jason Wojciechowski love to support our environment through benefits like Green Drinks.

perspective, what if everyone in the world picked up one piece of trash a day? That could create a cleaner world. Events like Green Drinks prove that you can have fun, and make a difference at the same time!


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INtheZONE

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

with TOMMIE VAUGHN

Tommie Vaughn is a Rocker, Writer and Momma. As lead singer and songwriter for the alternative rock band Wall of Tom, she released four albums and played countless number of shows for the masses. After 12 years of living life in the fast lane of LA, Tommie escaped the pavement and headed to the sand. She now resides in sunny Santa Barbara, with her guitarist/husband and their two rock ’n roll kids. Follow her blog at www.Tommiev.com.

The Funk’s Fab Four

Erika Carter and doggy Milly welcome you inside the magical studio.

Erika Carter is sanding away, getting ready to add a resin coating atop her masterpiece.

The Funk Zone’s Fab Four, having a bit of coffee talk at the Green House Studio Gardens.

I

was never part of a sorority. I felt too free-spirited and willful to follow anyone, so the thought of belonging to a massive group of rule-abiding gals never appealed to me, no matter how much fun they swore they had. After college, I headed off to pursue my dreams in Hollywood. It was there that I was lucky enough to join a different type of school, a University of Rock N’ Roll, in which I met my “soul sorority” sisters,

my kindreds, the type of best friends who would last a lifetime. There were four of us, and three out of the four were in bands while the fourth had, ahhh, other artistic pursuits. There was no competition between us – only love, laughter and support – though we would provide a good butt-kicking if the other one needed it. And in a town like Los Angeles, where you could trust no one, it was a rarity to have three people

Donna Ayscough is all smiles aside her colorful work.

you could trust with your life. These are the type of friendships that TV shows are based on (think Sex and the City, or Girls on HBO); the type that inspire novels and writing (like, for example, mine). Sometimes, it is just this mystical, magic circle of girl power that can inspire art. I was lucky enough to interview the gorgeous and immensely talented women of Green House Studios and, as we talked about organic lipstick, art shows, inspiration, family, feminism and most of all friendship, on a sunny Thursday morning seated comfortably in their abundantly green garden, I realized that, once again, I’d found another group of talented and diverse kindreds, co-creating perfectly under one little colorful roof in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone.

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Erika Marie Carter was born and raised in Santa Barbara and has been a painter for more than 25 years, having received her Fine Arts degree from UCSB. Her art speaks of her Mexican heritage in San Miguel with a true spirit of Folkloric, in Retablos and X-Votos style. Her painting truly encapsulate the true essence that is Mexico. Erika just happened to reside across the street from that beautiful green craftsman house that the women of Green House Studios now call their own (136 East Yanonali Street) and passed it daily for ten years as she walked her dog, staring longingly at the house’s expansive yard

that was overflowing with fruit trees and open garden space. A Bohemian beauty, Erika speaks charmingly and candidly about her road to the Green House. “My husband and I almost moved from our place so many times because there was no yard and I love to garden. When the original owner of the Green House passed away, I knew I wanted it for the yard space alone, even before I had the thought of turning it into a shared art studio. It sat vacant for a few months and we knew the owners, so we approached them and leased it right away as my own studio, but then this idea began to form.” “I brought in Donna Ayscough almost immediately, who I had met on First City College’s Art trip abroad thirty years ago in Paris. We took one look at each other and said ‘I want to room with you!’ We’ve been friends ever since and worked together quite a bit over the years.”

Donna

Donna Ayscough is another native Santa Barbaran who’s been an Artist from before she can remember, calling her father, who was also an incredible artist, her “truest inspiration.” Donna’s formal training came from the University of Colorado in Fine Arts and then the Colorado Institute of Art, but she is heavily influenced by her travels. Her work takes on the form and splendor of the colors, culture and people she encounters. A perky California blonde, with a megawatt smile, Donna’s laughter is infectious as she jumps in to continue for Erika. “We have been painting together, traveling and showing the same shows for so many years, like at Studio 3 East and The Project Fine Art Zone. And… well, that’s where we met Virginia.” Erika is nodding in agreement, and picks up where Donna leaves off. “When I met Virginia, I just loved her work and totally fell in love with her. I had thought of her to join our studio and at first she was resistant, since she had her own home studio. But I basically said she had


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A P R I L 1 9 – M AY 3 | 2 0 1 4

Through the Grapevine

Virginia McCracken, creating a whimsical world within each little box

five minutes to decide, because I knew she wanted to, and she agreed.”

Virginia

Virginia McCracken, a petite brunette with mad mod style, is nodding and smiling as Erika talks. She finally speaks up to add, “I’ve only worked in my home studio once since I moved in. It’s just so much more fun to be here.” Virginia, who is originally from Los Angeles, has been making art for more than 30 years. She is best-known for the wonderful, imaginary worlds that she creates inside boxes inhabited by magical paper-mâché creatures. Her work has been shown widely in California, New York and Washington. Until 2012, Virginia owned and operated The Project Fine Art Zone, before joining the Green House girls. “And then there’s Liz Brady,” Erika continues. “We have known each other for years as well, we met through a mutual artist friend and we showed together at Studio 3 East, my gallery and studio that I owned with my husband, David Dart, just above Starbucks. I also showed with Liz at The Project Fine Art Zone, so it was really easy for me to say who I would like to paint with at my new studio.”

Liz

Liz Brady, whom I swear I have met before in another life – she is so open, kind and friendly – graduated from UCSB as a studio art major and has been living and painting in Santa Barbara for more than 25 years. That gorgeous blue entity that is our coastline, with organic shapes and patterns of things botanic and sea creatures that seem to be moving, colorful and lifelike in her current works, most inspire Liz.

It’s Not a Rip-Off, It’s a Compliment As we visited more about inspiration, vision and backgrounds, I had to say that although each woman’s work was truly individual, it really seemed they belonged together. They all laughed and agreed as Erika and Donna finished each other’s sentences. “That’s because we are all ripping each

Liz Brady is floating happily between her moving ocean art.

other off!” one said. Then the other piped up: “Stealing each other’s ideas, color pallets, and styles.” They are only kidding a bit. They all agreed that it is completely inspirational working side by side with such creative, talented women… and there is absolutely no competition between them, whatsoever. “Well,” Erika quips, “If Virginia sells one more of her damn little boxes this weekend, I’m gonna freak out!” This causes the entire table to erupt in laughter, and Liz speaks up. “No, really, Erika is totally teasing, it’s truly the best atmosphere here, because we really do love and support each other. If one of us sells a painting or gets a great write-up, it’s a win for all of us because we see that it’s possible. And that makes us all work even harder to be even better than before.” I love it. I love these ladies. I want to join their sorority. Wait, I don’t paint… well, I dabble a bit but not like these pros. To call them “girl power” is only a mild compliment; to call them feminists could be misconstrued into someone’s odd beliefs of powerful women; to only call them artists seems not enough to encapsulate the visionary beings that create their beautiful masterpieces within those little Green House walls. They open their doors to the public on every Second Saturday Funk Zone Art Walk, with lively music and wine within those same lush gardens that Erika walked past years ago. Come meet these wonderful ladies, buy their art or maybe a few greeting cards from Erika’s XO Greeting line and never forget to dream, no matter how old you are, because your vision could become the next big thing.

For more info about the GH ladies, check out go to www.erikacarter. com, www.donnaayscough.com, www. virginiamccracken.com and/or www. lizbradyart.com. Green House Studios is located at 136 East Yanonali Street.

If you don’t have any plans yet for Easter brunch, I heard a delicious rumor straight from the source that The Lark - owned by Sherry Villanueva – will be open not only for Easter brunch but for Mother’s Day brunch as well. (Get in if you can!) Sherry tantalized my taste buds with an exquisite menu of family-style entrees like Grilled Local Asparagus Tartine with Black Pepper Goat Cheese, Lemon, Cherry Tomatoes and Pea Tendrils; Farmers Market Frittata with Local Roasted Vegetables, Sheep’s Milk Feta, Almond Romesco and Shaved Fennel; Crispy Suckling Pig Confit with Brown Butter Polenta, Rainbow Swiss Chard and a Blackberry Pork Jus. Farm-fresh cocktails sound delicious too, like Rhubarb Greyhound Proper with rosemary rhubarb syrup, fresh grapefruit juice and No. 209 Gin; Club Car Collins with lemon juice, muddled cucumber, St. Germain Elderflower and Re-find Gin; or a Sangre Maria with tomato juice, horseradish, lemon zest, pickled jalapeño, Sriracha, celery salt and Xicaru Mezcal. And a big congrats to Sherry as well, from all of us who love her at the Sentinel, for acquiring the old Avelina Wine Co. building, with some hot plans for a wine label and bakery. More inside scoop on that one is coming soon from me, Tommie V. Reservations can be made online at www. thelarksb.com or by calling 805-284-0370.

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Dust&Cover

Andersen’s welcomes you to a wonderful

by Jeremy Harbin

Email Jeremy at dustandcover@gmail.com.

Brick-and-Mortar Warbler Celebrates Record Store Day

including our famous Eggs Benedicts Napoleons, Croissant French Toast, Omelettes, and amazing Viking size Mimosas! Chocolate covered Strawberries and Specialty Mothers Day chocolate Ganache Cheesecakes!

Kurt Legler, owner of Warbler Records & Goods (131 East De La Guerra Street), celebrates Record Store Day, which started at 10am on Saturday, April 19. Warbler’s regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 6:30pm, and Sunday from noon to 5pm.

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A

s major newspapers and magazines have been declaring in less-andless entertaining trend-tracking pieces every chance they get for the last ten years or so, “vinyl is back!” These articles typically fall on a tonal continuum somewhere between “Shucks, kids are listening to records again. Can you believe that?” and “Shucks, kids are listening to records again in what seems to be a reaction to an increasingly digital lifestyle lived in virtual, intangible space where our attention is constantly being diverted and we struggle to keep up with an overwhelming amount of information we’re weary of yet, at the same time, invite. Can you believe that?” But you knew that already. You’ve read these articles. And that’s why it comes as no surprise to you that Saturday, April 19, is Record Store Day, an event created just for collectors and their favorite shops. Here in town, Warbler Records & Goods (131 East De La Guerra Street) will be celebrating with the rest of the nation by hawking vinyl released specifically for the occasion. They’ll open up a half hour early, at 10am, and have Ventura’s The Spires play out on the back patio at 3pm.

It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll

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Another article that’s been getting rewritten here and there – albeit in more specialized publications – is one that examines the possible downside of Record Store Day (RSD). These write-ups start with a brief history: RSD was founded in 2007 by a group of Los Angeles storeowners to promote sales and, I guess, awareness that they exist. Each year after that, the

event has grown as vinyl enthusiasts flock to stores to nab exclusive, limited-edition releases. People line up before shops open to increase their chances of securing that 180-gram colored LP they’ve had their eyes on. Bands might play on makeshift stages throughout the day. DJs might DJ. Maybe some back-catalog items go on sale. Everyone has a happy RSD. So labels release records exclusively to independent, brick-and-mortar shops and people want to buy them. What could be wrong with that? Well, as any good RSD-backlash article might explain (in hopefully more lucid terms than what follows), the whole thing could be helping to push the industry to heights it might not be able to get back down from without crashing to the ground. Some point out the common complaint that many in the race for that 10-inch picture disc care less about the music, man, than they do the eBay auction in which they’ll turn a hell of a profit hiking up the price of their spoils. Another gripe might be that RSD can just seem a little bit silly at times – say when a re-release of a dust-bin mainstay like Tom Petty’s Wildflowers is dubbed “limited” (by RSD the organization, not the stores that participate). In the end, though, it’s hard to complain about an event that drives traffic into small shops and boosts sales. And music, especially rock ‘n’ roll – which most of the stuff being released on RSD roughly falls under – is supposed to be fun, and that’s what the whole day is about; it’s a celebration of the real-world “meet spaces” that sell hold-able, playable, sniff...continued p.29


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Protect your identity

In the Garden with

Mr. Greenjeans

by Randy Arnowitz “Mr. Greenjeans,” as he is known around

Santa Barbara, is a gardener, horticulturist and writer. He particularly enjoys working with roses, orchids and sharing the day with his golden retriever Peaches, who faithfully accompanies him in the field. Contact him at greenjeansmr@gmail.com

Randy’s Choice

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’ve had a week of tough choices. In light of the drought and the Montecito water allotments, I’ve begun shutting off the water at many of my gardening accounts. All week, I’ve been selectively and briefly turning on the water to a lawn here, or a bed there, depending on how sad and stressed the individual plants look and what the water meter is telling me. It’s funny (but not the “ha-ha” kind of funny), how quickly plants and lawns begin to suffer without regular watering. Because many of our gardens have soil that is porous or sandy and devoid of organic matter, they just do not retain moisture, and as a result begin to show signs of stress in a very short time. In the pre-drought days, my job was making flowers, plants and lawns look really good. Now it seems that my job is deciding which plants to let go of, and which ones to keep alive and looking thirsty and sad. I know, I know. I’m being slightly melodramatic and exceptionally tongue-in-cheeky here, but I’m really starting to relate to Meryl Streep’s character in Sophie’s Choice. In that film, she played a mother that had to make some horrendous choices regarding the fate of her children – not to be confused with Ms. Streep’s “a dingo ate my baby” role as Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, who in the 1988 film A Cry In The Dark was accused of killing her child when, in fact, baby Azaria was indeed carried off and eaten by a dingo. Which further reminds me of Gary Larson’s classic The Far Side cartoon in which Ed’s Dingo Farm is situated perilously close to – in fact, next door to – Darlene’s baby nursery. The fact is, until we get some substantial rain that will bring up the levels of our reservoirs, we are going to have to decide what in our gardens gets to stay and what’s got to go. We’ll all have to determine what our garden priorities are by using common sense, some horticultural knowledge and a touch of sentimentality. Obviously, lawns are the easiest and least expensive to replace, as are perennial beds. Annuals and veggies can be postponed until the fall or grown in containers to save resources. Vines, shrubs and trees, on the other hand, may be a priority for many folks, since they are a more permanent part of our landscapes and are costly to replace.

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Although these staghorn ferns thrive in a humid greenhouse, many do just as well in our Santa Barbara gardens.

Prehistoric, parasitic alien life force? Photosynthetic ungulate? Nah, they’re staghorn, or elkhorn, ferns.

On A Lighter Note You know how when you go to the movies and in every movie trailer that features puppies, Christmas, Jennifer Aniston, or Owen Wilson, that one voice-over guy always says, “Fall in love all over again...” with this or that or the other thing? Well, that’s how I feel about staghorn ferns. Every once in a while, after I’ve forgotten all about them, I remember how cool and unusual-looking they are. I don’t exactly “fall in love” with them, I just, y’know, think they’re a welcome addition to a tropical or bright shade garden. Staghorn, or elkhorn ferns are members of the genus Platycereum, which contains 18 species. These vibrant green, alienlooking plants have roots that grow from a rhizome that gives rise to two types of fronds. The overlapping, basal fronds are the flat, shield-shaped ones that adhere to the fence or tree that you initially fasten the main plant to. These fronds protect the roots and keep them from drying out. Oftentimes, the top part of these fronds turn out and collect moisture, fallen leaves and debris. This litter eventually breaks down and provides nourishment for the plant. The lobed, antler-shaped fronds that jut out from the rhizome are the fertile ones. Reproductive spores are born on the undersides of these, and it is from these spores that new plantlets grow. Staghorns can also be propagated asexually by taking sections or divisions from a main plant and mounting them on another board or tree.

Staghorns do best either mounted or suspended in an area that receives bright or filtered light. Early-morning direct sun will probably work but late-morning summer sun, midday or afternoon full sun will scorch them. For directions on how exactly to mount these guys, check out YouTube “how to” videos. Let your fern dry out slightly between waterings. Older plants are more drought-tolerant than younger, newly mounted ones because the built-up layers of spongy, basal fronds retain moisture longer. These mature ferns may only need watering once a week or so in hot weather. The “antlers” however, can be misted or hosed down more often in hot, windy weather, but keep in mind that the inner growth and medium that the plant is mounted on can be rotted out if watered too often. Staghorns are virtually fool-proof to grow in our climate and really don’t require a lot of special care or attention to thrive and reward you with a splendid specimen. In fact, you may already have a forgotten one somewhere back there in the garden. So pull all those avocado leaves off of the thing, and when you see how well it responds to regular watering, food and proper light – who knows, you may fall in love all over again.

Randy’s Quick Pick

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PUMP IT

By Jenny Schatzle

N.A.S.M, Kickboxing and SPIN Certified, Jenny Schatzle is known for changing bodies and changing lives. Her approach to fitness is about not only “getting fit” physically but also how, through exercise, nutrition and a positive motivational environment, you can change your lifestyle for the better. Jenny’s program and the results she consistently achieves have made her one of the most sought-after experts in Santa Barbara.

Return On Investment

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have an amazing investment tip for everyone this week. It has zero downside and nothing but upside potential. And the best part is that it is going to make you and your life more enjoyable and positive. You want it? Here it is… YOUR HEALTH! Think about it: Are you taking care of your body and health or is that something you plan to do when “you have more time” or that you are going to start “next week?” Why does it take something life-changing to wake us up to the fact that we only have one body and one life? It’s time to take inventory and realize how important your health and fitness are to your happiness and that of those around you. It’s time to start taking care of your most important investment. You. It is a proven fact that healthy, active people are more productive, creative, energetic, less susceptible to illness… and the list goes on. It’s time to start now, so get going on the workout below.

THE PET DETECTIVES by John and Hudson Mayfield

Hudson (9) and John (7) are brothers and students at Montecito Union School. Hudson loves boats and the ocean, he can be found sailing around the harbor in his free time. John enjoys Minecraft, dogs and all kinds of animals. John is often spotted making new friends with dogs all over town.

NUTRITION:

o easy on the processed foods. Your body does not breakdown chemicals in them very G well and, in return, they are stored as fat. If a bright and colorful package tells you it is good for you, chances are it’s not. Eat whole foods – nuts, fruit, veggies – and get healthy fast.

WORKOUT:

ere is a short, quick workout anyone can do. Try it first thing in the morning; it only takes ten H minutes and I love it! 50 Jumping jacks 40 Crunches 30 Tricep dips (use a chair) 20 Squats 10 Push-ups

Colden Levine

Do two rounds! Oh, what the heck… do three!

C

olden Levine is 13 1/2-years-old, a senior citizen! Like most dogs, he likes to eat everything he can get his mouth on – the bigger, the better. He feels the same way about his toys; he likes ginormous bones and sticks. He currently lives in Santa Barbara but has also lived in Boston and Palo Alto. He once fell down a 40-foot cliff on upper San Ysidro Trail and was unharmed. He lived to tell the tail (tale). We wish him lots of safe and exciting adventures in the future.

HGT 3.5 5.4 5.1 4.7 4.4 4.3 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.2 4 3.7 4 3.7 3.4

LOW 05:51 PM 7:34 AM 8:41 AM 9:55 AM 11:07 AM 12:08 PM 02:23 PM 03:01 PM 03:36 PM 04:10 PM 04:44 PM 05:19 PM 04:44 PM 05:19 PM 05:55 PM

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THERE IS RISK OF INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY AND ALL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WHETHER STRENUOUS OR NOT. IF YOU HAVE ANY RELATED CONCERNS AT ALL, THEN PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SPEAK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN THE EXERCISE PROGRAM ABOVE. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT PARTICULAR MOVEMENTS, THEN PLEASE CALL OR WRITE JENNY SCHATZLE DIRECTLY SO SHE CAN ANSWER THEM. REGARDLESS, HOWEVER, AS A RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEING, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE FOREGOING EXERCISE PROGRAM, YOU ASSUME ALL OF THE RISK OF DOING SO AND VOLUNTARILY RELEASE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AGAINST JENNY SCHATZLE BOOTCAMP AND/OR THE SANTA BARBARA SENTINEL.

Time & Tide and the DAY LOW HGT HIGH FRI, APRIL 18 6:38 AM -0.4 01:03 PM SAT, APRIL 19 12:15 AM SUN, APRIL 20 1:07 AM MON, APRIL 21 2:16 AM TUES, APRIL 22 3:45 AM WED, APRIL 23 5:16 AM SAT, APRIL 26 2:26 AM 0.2 8:30 AM SUN, APRIL 27 3:11 AM -0.3 9:20 AM MON, APRIL 28 3:53 AM -0.7 10:06 AM TUES, APRIL 29 4:34 AM -0.8 10:52 AM WED, APRIL 30 5:15 AM -0.8 11:37 AM THURS, MAY 1 5:56 AM -0.6 12:25 PM WED, APRIL 30 5:15 AM -0.8 11:37 AM THURS, MAY 1 5:56 AM -0.6 12:25 PM FRI, MAY 2 6:39 AM -0.3 01:18 PM

urf

HGT HIGH HGT LOW 1.9 -0.3 02:12 PM 3.2 06:41 PM -0.1 03:38 PM 3.2 07:55 PM 0 05:04 PM 3.5 09:45 PM 0 06:06 PM 3.9 011:27 PM 0 06:53 PM 4.4 0.2 08:43 PM 5.7 0.5 09:16 PM 5.9 0.8 09:50 PM 6 1.1 010:23 PM 5.9 1.6 010:56 PM 5.7 1.9 011:30 PM 5.4 1.6 010:56 PM 5.7 1.9 011:30 PM 5.4 2.3

HGT 2.3 2.6 2.6 2.3

SURF MAGAZINE • DEEPZINE.COM

A

little up, a little down and repeat. The tiny bit of windswell we had earler in the week is going to pulse again for Sunday and Monday. In town Sunday, we should see waves in the waist to shoulder-high range. Both beachbreeaks and points are going to be soft but very ridable. Bad news could be possible, with a south wind that could mess up some breaks. Keep your longboard and fish ready and waxed-up. For solid waves, a tank of gas and a bit of a driving and south swell can be found at the right spots also.

-Surf Country Doug

For a more in-depth daily report call Surf Country, 805-683-4450


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Buck Usher, Amy Stevens, Darrin J Bunch

by Jacquelyn De Longe As a writer, busy mother of two toddlers and Pilates Instructor at P.U.L.S.E., Jacquelyn De Longe finds her fast-paced life often keeps her out of the kitchen and frequenting area restaurants. New to Santa Barbara, she explores treasures of the local culinary scene with a fresh, honest and entertaining perspective.

Happy Birthday to Me Aline Smithson and me (Jacquelyn De Longe)

S

pring is here! Birds are chirping, buds are blooming and the best part of April is… it’s my birthday! (Sorry Matt, but I’m taking liberties on this article.) This is my opportunity to talk about my two most favorite subjects in this world (outside of my beloved

children): art and food. And what better way to celebrate the day of my birth than to gluttonously indulge in cake, cake and more cake! That’s right, I didn’t only eat cake for my birthday. I looked at it, too. And I liked it.

Looking at Cake but Not Eating It I kicked off my birthday month with a visit to the local Funk Zone gallery, Wall Space. Their fabulous dual exhibition, entitled A Little Madness in the Spring, features the campy photographic work of Los Angeles-based Alien Smithson and Amy Stevens of Pennsylvania. These two female photographers push the limits on tasteful feminine idealism with humor and wit intact. The playful images not only entertain, but they also give us modern women a moment to pause and reflect on the ridiculousness of our overachieving. I got a chance to talk with Amy Stevens at her opening and she shared some insight with me on her latest body of work, Confections. Amy has spent the past eight years creating more than 100 cakes and developing her project. Similar to

Kim Dingle’s Birthday series of paintings, where abstracted girlish figures struggle with their confections, so too do Amy Stevens’ cake photographs wrestle with their weighted symbolism. Wow. It all began on her 30th birthday when she decided to challenge herself and make a proper cake in celebration. After watching the instructional video and following the directions of the cake decorating kit, her creations were a far cry from the beginner’s perfection as promised on the box. While garish at first glance, however, they did have a beauty all their own. As Amy explains, “I decided to leave them in their exuberantly imperfect states.” And it’s a wonderful thing that she did. Having an MFA in photography, Amy saw the potential in her creations ...continued p.36

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by Megan Waldrep With over ten years in the industry designing for her own label, she began writing because “it just felt good.” In addition to writing, Megan is currently the head designer and creative director for Mew Kids, a children’s clothing line, as well as a co-author of the much loved children’s book, Spice & Little Sugar. You can say she wears many hats. Which is fitting. For a fashion writer and all. Discover her world at www.mewkids.com.

Tangled up in Blue Channelkeepers Kalia Rork, Jeff Phillips and Holly Sherwin gearing up for a good time. (Photo credit: JenRenee Photography)

A happy bunch of do-gooders: Gina Carbajal, Peter Schuyler, Dan Emmett, Salud Carbajal and Rick Ridgeway. (Photo credit: JenRenee Photography)

Prime seating. The unassuming blue marbles ready to deliver a big message. (Photo credit: JenRenee Photography)

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e are a very blessed group of people. Expansive ocean views, purple mountains carving the sky and the ability to simply get lost in a sunrise or sunset off our magnificent coast is proof in itself. Thankfully, we have a group devoted to maintaining safe and clean water for our present and future California coastal lives: Santa Barbara Channelkeeper (SBCK) is dedicated to preserving this little slice of heaven we call home. On April 5, SBCK held the 14th Annual Blue Water Ball, an annual event that raises funds that, in turn, allow the organization to do what it do best: Protect the waterways and beaches of our coastal community. A hopeful and happy soldout crowd of SBCK believers gathered at the Montecito Country Club, enjoying local food, wine and music in the name of clean water. Development director Morgan Coffey describes it best: “More than once, I talked to a guest who would look out the window and refer to the gorgeous view of the channel and the islands and comment, ‘this is what Channelkeeper is all about.’ And it’s true. All of our work is focused on protecting our ocean and our community’s clean water, and it was so gratifying to spend an evening with people who appreciate and support those efforts.” An inspiring keynote address by Dr. Wallace “J.” Nichols, whom SBCK honored for his pioneering work of protecting our oceans, put into perspective what it means to be on our beautiful planet in a profound and simple way. At each place setting, a blue marble sat in a little shell. Each guest was asked to hold the marble at arm’s length as a way of envisioning the size of the Earth from a

Breakin’ it down in blue: Paul Petrich and Tara Brown take to the dance floor. (Photo credit: JenRenee Photography)

Jim Hodgson and Sharyn Main showing support and giving great face. (Photo credit: JenRenee Photography)

Support the Cause

Surfer and author Shaun Tomson with his beautiful wife and event co-chair, Carla. (Photo credit: JenRenee Photography)

million miles away in space. The exercise drove home the sense of responsibility to pass along the message of gratitude for what we have and the importance of conservation for our future. Message received.

Attendees took home more than a feeling of satisfaction for helping a great cause, thanks to some pretty amazing donations coordinated by event cochairs Carla Tomson and Julie Ringler. In addition to the many auction items on hand, the ladies arranged to have jewelry (for men and women) designed by jeweler Daniel Gibbings exclusively for Channelkeeper. (The jewelry is currently available in the Coast Village Road location with proceeds donated to SBCK.) A Mammoth ski package and a “Day of Surfing with World Champion Shaun Tomson” went as the highest-bid items of the night. [At press deadline, the final numbers and donations were being totaled.] The next time you gaze over the grand waters of the Pacific, keep in mind the keepers that make it so. Through advocacy, education and field work, SBCK continues to defend our right to

Guest speaker (and Ted Talks veteran) Dr. Wallace “J.” Nichols inspires the crowd.

clean water while informing, inspiring and empowering citizens to speak and act for our waterways. Remember: We must fight for the right to enjoy the view. And by donating to www.sbck.org, you can support the cause, too.


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...continued from p.24 able records. No one at this party wants to talk to the grinch holding court about how things used to be or how they should be now. They just want to get their hands on some music and maybe hear a band. I ran all this by Leigh and Kurt Legler, the owners of Warbler, over email, to see what they think about the big day and what they have planned for it. They’ve been in business for three and a half years now selling used and new LPs and CDs – and books, décor, accessories and other items – from their downtown spot. Leigh told me that when they moved here four years ago, they found the De La Guerra storefront before they even secured a place to live, so these are the people to ask about record fandom and the music retail industry. A quick note before we get to that interview transcript: If you’re reading this after April 19, don’t worry. Every day is Record Store Day for the people who own (and those who frequent) record stores. So head down any day of the week to help the gang at Warbler celebrate. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 6:30pm
 and on Sunday from noon until 5pm.

Q: What have past Record Store Days been like at Warbler? In bigger cities with larger concentrations of record buyers, lines can be long and stores can be crowded with people rushing to grab an LP they want before someone else gets to it – or so I’ve heard. Does anything like that happen at Warbler? Or is it – true to what you might expect from a Santa Barbaran version of the event – a more laid-back affair? What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen somebody do on Record Store Day? A: Kurt: We’ve had a pretty consistent line in front of the store. I think the line is growing each year; last time we had probably 25 to 30 people waiting, and the couple in the front said they’d been there since 6am, if I remember correctly. We have had one incident where a record was snatched away from someone else who was indecisive about the purchase and one hilariously insane and rambling negative online review from someone who didn’t get the record they wanted – actually they didn’t even come into the shop, they just called in. People do get really excited about Record Store Day, and the atmosphere in the store reflects their passion. For music and vinyl lovers, it’s really an amazing Christmas morning-type feeling. Even

A P R I L 1 9 – M AY 3 | 2 0 1 4

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with all that anticipation, aside from those two incidents, people are very laid-back, friendly and courteous. Are there any releases for this year’s RSD that you think are interesting? Any you’re looking forward to hearing yourself? Kurt: We’re excited about the Space Project 7” box set/LP. It’s got some of our favorite bands, Holydrug Couple, Spiritualized and Blues Control using source material from and composing music inspired by the Voyager space probes! Have you read any of the backlash-y articles on RSD, like [an article in UK mag The Wire from last year comparing trends in vinyl to the rise and fall of the 90s trading card industry]? What do you think about this idea that RSD might actually be promoting something that’s bad for the industry and ultimately unsustainable? Leigh: We think that article makes some very good points, chiefly the bubble in resale value of RSD product or “limited edition” product in general and the notion that the industry should be “super serving the casual fan” rather than “over-serving the superfan.” What about Warbler in particular? Does RSD ever feel like kind of a necessary evil at this point that you are obligated to participate in? Or is that not the case at all? Leigh: In our case, each year’s RSD has really felt more like a true celebration of record shops, rather than just some retail binge. That may have something to do with the fact that we specialize in used vinyl. I imagine if we only carried new LPs, RSD would take on a very different meaning for us.

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What does Warbler have planned for this year’s RSD? Leigh: We’ll be opening bright and early at 10am, and the Spires will be playing at 3pm. Can you tell me about The Spires? Kurt: The Spires are a longtime Ventura band with a somewhat quirky emphasis on well crafted but slightly off-kilter pop tunes (in the fine tradition of Big Star or Guided By Voices). They also incorporate a somewhat lo-fi shoegaze sensibility into their songs. They’re quite good. We like their newly released album Eternal Yeah.

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Plan B by Briana Westmacott When Briana isn’t lecturing for her writing courses

at UCSB and SBCC, she contributes to The Santa Barbara Skinny, Wake & Wander and Flutter Magazine. Along with her passion for writing and all things Santa Barbara, much of her time is spent multi-tasking through her days as a mother, wife, sister, want-to-be chef and travel junky. Writing is an outlet that ensures mental stability... usually.

A Girl and A Dog (And An Obsessive Helicopter Mom)

A girl and her dog

T

here I stood, nose glued to the front window, only pulling my face from the glass long enough to pace back and forth. My eyes couldn’t escape the road in front of our house. She’s taking too long. This is taking too

long! I fretted. My daughter was on a maiden voyage; it was her first time taking the dog on a walk around the block by herself. She is eight-years old, and I must be crazy. Crazy to be fretting like this. Really? Elliana is eight and fully competent; George (our Golden Retriever) is two and slightly competent. They’ll make it. So why the worry? This is what my generation has been trained to do. We are worrisome parents.

My Dirt Bike Wagon Dragging Days in Willits Were Dangerous… But Fun, Too The cover of a recent issue of The Atlantic showed an image of a child wrapped in

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Here are two of my sisters, circa 1985. We were quite proud of how we fashioned the wagon to a dirt bike with that rope. Safe. Real safe.

fretting when my daughter takes George around the block on a solo mission? The pendulum is now swinging for parents. At this point, we’ve followed all the safety guidelines and rules, and now the media hype is saying that we are creating children who are incapable of exploring the world on their own. Have we offered too much protection? Possibly, but like all else, I believe finding balance is the key.

The bell. Looking a bit mossy, understandably, since there are no more kids running around those mountains.

pillows and pads and strapped with a large helmet. “The Over-Protected Kid,” screamed the title, symbolically referring to our (my!) children. It’s true. From the first stages in utero we’ve been padding our babes. “Oh, you’re pregnant?” No coffee. No wine. No running. No tuna. No feta. No stressing. (Ha, try not stressing about all those no’s!) Then the babes popped out and we purchased straps and seats and wraps and bumpers and a hundred thousand other tools to protect those little souls. Did my parents do any of this? I am absolutely sure that they did not. And I turned out ok… well, pretty much ok, anyway. My parents had a big bell on our back porch. It was large and metal and mounted to a wooden base, and when it was time to come home, my mom would ring that thing. My three sisters and I would be far off. The forest was our playground. My mom wasn’t pacing in front of the window while we were off building our imaginations. We were warned of mountain lions, ticks and rattlesnakes, and then my mom shut the door behind us. When we heard that big bell ring, we began the trek home for dinner. We didn’t get eaten or bitten or abducted. We were independent. We were strong. Hell, I didn’t break a bone until I had graduated from college and started wearing high heels. We went unscathed, even through our horrifying dirt bike wagon dragging days (see the photo evidence I unearthed from Willits – really, Mom?). So, with all that in my past, why am I

Go Walk the Damned Dog Already Parenting takes a lot of heart. It drills down deep into new levels of your soul that you did not know existed. It takes tons of time and energy and sweat and tears (I’ve shed many behind a locked door, hidden from those little eyes). And so far, I’ve found that many of the questions to the difficult stages of parenting can be answered by simply following my heart. (Ok... heart, plus some yoga breathing and, when all else fails, there’s wine.) Children resonate resilience. Innately we are driven to protect them, which makes letting them go that much harder. But even so, we have to believe, in our hearts, that our kids will be ok. And we have to let them go. Even if we might still check the front window a few extra times to be sure they get home with the dog in one piece.

Briana’s Best Bet Sure, I read all the parenting manuals and I’ve even taken a couple of parenting classes. But none of this really helped me to be a better parent like yoga did. If there is anything that tests the limits of your patience, it’s parenting. Yoga breathing and consciousness has helped me to be more calm and collected with my kids. I love Courtney Enright’s classes at Mesa Hot Yoga (MHY). Courtney’s quaint studio is tranquil, and I’ve found her classes are the perfect combination of mindfulness mixed with bodywork and sweat. Thanks for keeping me sane, Courtney! Check out the daily schedule at www. mesahotyogasb.com and give MHY a try.


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by Rachelle Oldmixon

The More, The Messier

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f you live in Santa Barbara, Goleta or – in particular – Isla Vista, you know about the violence surrounding this year’s Deltopia. The headlines from the past week or so have talked about the “over one hundred” arrests and 44 hospitalizations. We’ve heard the upsetting reports about stabbings and violence toward police officers. That the area was considered too dangerous for emergency-response personnel is shocking and a little terrifying. It’s sparked many talks about “out of towners,” the party culture of Isla Vista and the dangers associated with both. I have my opinions on the matter. After all, I am an alumna of UCSB’s graduate division. I even lived close to Isla Vista my first year at UCSB, in the graduate apartments on El Colegio Road. But those opinions are mostly irrelevant. I don’t pretend to understand the undergraduate culture; my own experience was very different. (And probably a lot more boring!) But, I do know a little about psychology. And one of my favorite “pet topics” is group behavior.

Deindividuation Situation

A lot influences how a group behaves: its leader, its size, the culture of the majority of the group members. But there are certain patterns that emerge in all groups, and the mob in Isla Vista was no different. When people are on their own, they tend to be self-aware, attending to their own morals and personal responsibilities. As members join a group, and that group grows in numbers, people begin to lose a part of their self-awareness. More particularly, individuals can disregard their own morals

and adopt the morals of the group, which usually mirror the morals of the most vocal members or the group’s leaders. It’s called deindividuation and it’s often why parents worry about their children falling in with the “wrong” crowd: Get a strong enough group and their child’s individual views may get eclipsed during a critical period of self-development. Given the amount of alcohol involved with Deltopia, it’s not hard to imagine that impaired thinking and deindividuation would lead many of the revelers to join in the violent antics lead by a few. And, to be fair, not all of the thousands of students who attended Deltopia participated in illegal behavior. Many thanked officers for keeping them safe, or hung back when the partying turned to violence.

Mass Confusion = Responsibility Diffusion

There are, however, too few reports of crowd members trying to keep the event peaceful. And that leads to another phenomenon characteristic of a large group: diffusion of responsibility. Most people, when alone, will respond to emergency situations – like, for example, the students who attempted to put out a small fire in Isla Vista the night of Deltopia. But when part of a group, many people will begin to think that they don’t have to act because other members of the group are also not acting. And if you don’t think you have to act, you most likely will not. Which might be fine… at least if everyone else was not also thinking the exact same thing. The whole thing leads

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A self-professed science nerd, Rachelle has her B.A. in neuroscience from Skidmore College in upstate New York, and is working towards her Master’s in psychology at UCSB. In her free time, she blogs at www. synapticspeculations.com. She never could quite understand why she had to choose just one area of science; they are all fascinating. Especially when paired with some classic rock.

to a lot of non-action, even if most of the members of the crowd feel that something should be done to help. Diffusion of responsibility is seen every day when dozens of people walking on the street will pass by someone who is hurt or homeless simply because everyone else is, too. As the saying goes, no snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible. And it’s hard to feel responsible on the individual level when a large group turns violent.

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The less-than-optimal decision comes about because decisions made via groupthink are generally based off information that the entire group possesses, not just the expert or more informed knowledge of the few. So, where a study group may convince themselves of a wrong answer for an exam because three of the members misunderstood the professor, a mob of revelers may quickly turn into a riot because bad information about police brutality was quickly passed through the crowd. Group behavior is fascinating, but knowing about it does not give you a unique power to avoid falling into its traps. And that’s not always terrible. Humans have evolved to operate in groups. And, in most cases, group behavior can be a good thing. Plenty of volunteers (members of a group in their own right) came out and cleaned up the streets of Isla Vista the day after Deltopia. That’s group behavior, too.

Don’t Drink When You Groupthink

Finally, there is a third, and possibly most important, aspect of group behavior: groupthink. Groupthink happens in almost any group, from a small study group of four to thousands of partiers on the streets of Isla Vista. It occurs when there is desire for conformity within a group, so the group regresses to decision that the average member (or worse) might make.

Sexy Science Guess what? UCSB’s Arts and Lectures is bringing Ira Flatow, the host of NPR’s Science Friday, to Santa Barbara! On Monday, May 12, join me at UCSB’s Campbell Hall for his talk, Science is the New Sexy, at 8pm. For tickets, call (805) 893-3535 or visit www.ArtsAndLectures. UCSB.edu. $20 for the general public and $8 for students.


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The Weekly Capitalist by Jeff Harding

Jeff Harding publishes The Daily Capitalist, a blog on economics and finance. He is the president of Montecito Analytics, LLC, and is a real estate investor who lives in Montecito.

What Overpriced Ferraris, Wine and Art Tell Us

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ou’ve got to be able to read the signs to know when markets are crazy, so you can be ready when the economy tops out. If you can’t or won’t do that, then the chances are that your future financial bliss will be less, well, blissful. In my experience, a pretty reliable sign that something is wrong is a stock market at an all-time high coupled with, for example, vintage Ferrari prices somewhere in the stratosphere. Everyone will tell you that the economy has recovered and that things are fine, so go ahead and spend and enjoy your newfound wealth. After all, doesn’t spending drive the economy? (Yes and no, but mostly no.) That model may be fine for a few, but for most of us, the reality is that we aren’t about to go on a spending binge after we’ve just crawled out of a debt hole. So what does that mean for the broader economic and practical reality?

Bifurcation Demarcation We continue to have what I call a “bifurcated economy.” That’s another way of saying that all the wonderful news about booming stock markets, crazy IPOs and buyouts (Facebook, Twitter, Candy Crush, Whatsapp) isn’t actually doing much for average folks. Those with financial assets – the wealthy – are benefiting. The rest of us are just getting along. In short, we have an

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economy where the so-called stimulus and recovery hasn’t benefited average folks as much as it has the folks at the top. Most folks who were homeowners or who just racked up a lot of debt pre-crash have spent the last six years repairing credit, paying down debt and refinancing high interest loans. Great. Thanks to Fed-induced cheap interest rates, low-interest credit has bailed us out. Unfortunately, however, the income of the majority of workers (on a national basis) hasn’t gone up. There are reasons for that. And you should be really pissed off. Rich folks don’t have the same kind of problems. Sure, they racked up even more debt, some even lost homes and pensions, but they have the ability to make it back quickly in a booming financialized economy. I overstate the case here, but generally rich people are rich because they have a lot of assets, they are engaged in the financial side of the economy through business or investments, they have greater earning power and they can bounce back more quickly when given the opportunity. So, why are they benefiting when you aren’t? The Fed, as we continue to point out in this fair journal, has been creating new money at a fierce, unprecedented rate. Where does it go? It is no coincidence that mainlining more than $3 trillion of new money into banks has juiced the financial markets. This is called “financialization,” and it happens where – instead of being lent out to grow businesses – newly minted dollars flow into the financial markets. The result? Booming stock markets. Guess who benefits from a booming stock market?

The Downside of the Upside All this has rather unfortunate consequences for the economy. It actually causes real wealth (the stuff that money buys, like equipment, factories, goods) to be funneled into things that later turn out to be bad investments when the Fed stops printing. The economy might be improving but bad investments eventually go broke, people lose jobs and our economy stagnates. We all witnessed this when housing and its related enterprises crashed in 2008. Will it happen again?

By most measures stocks are overvalued. For example, the popular CAPE (Cyclically Adjusted Price/ Earnings ratio) and Shiller stock market valuations are way high. Margin debt (traders borrow to buy stocks) is at an all-time high. I’ve also noticed that weird financial structures are being revived or created (shades of the Great Recession!): The collateralized debt obligations that plagued the economy in the run up to

“These phenomena repeat themselves over and over with every cycle, and nobody seems to notice or even care while the markets are hot. They think the party will last forever.” the Crash of ’08 are reappearing; the single-family housing market is being securitized into a financial product; the notorious Cov-Lite cheap debt loans are re-emerging as investors chase yield. Money chases money when an economy is financialized. Can it last? When the experts on CNBC talk every day about whether we’ve reached a top, you can bet that we are close to the top. It might be well to recall the old Wall Street saying that no one rings a bell when the market tops. In my opinion, a very reliable sign of economic craziness is the luxury market. As Wall Streeters enjoy the fruits of their labors (i.e., bonuses) they like to buy toys: art, vintage cars, watches, rare wines, big houses. You wouldn’t be surprised to see major hedge-fund investors, money managers and bankers being the ones bidding high at the N.Y. auction houses. It is getting crazy… again. Maybe it’s best if I give you a few examples. Last October a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO race car sold for $52 million, breaking all records for a Ferrari. OK, so they only made 39 of them. But… One of our local car collectors (Craig McCaw) had broken the previous GTO record in 2012 by paying $35 million for an apple-green version of the same. See, he’s already made $17 million on his investment. Smart guy. Another reason I say the car market is getting crazy is that at last Sunday’s Barrett-Jackson auction, a 1973 Porsche 911S sold for more than $100,000. Yours truly had one of these beauties a few years back (fly yellow Targa) and sold it for a

whopping $12,000. Sour grapes? Yep. Nice car, but $100,000? Nope. A Patek Philippe watch made in 2013 just sold for $873,000 at a Sotheby’s auction. Not a record, grant you ($11 million back in 1999), but it was a watch with no “provenance” as they say. The art market has been no less frothy. Last November, Francis Bacon’s Three Studies of Lucian Freud, a remarkably ugly triptych painted in 1969, sold for $142 million. 2013 was a banner year for art sales, reaching a record $64 billion in auction sales, an 80% increase over 2012. Homes? The most expensive home sale so far this year was Copper Beech Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut, a 50-acre estate right on the water. As you may know, Greenwich is within commuting distance of the Big Apple. Price: $120 million. But I suppose it was a steal; the buyer originally wanted $190 million. The garish Fleur de Lys estate in L.A. (Bel Air) just sold for $102 million. It was modeled on Louis XIV’s Versailles Palace, and has 12 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a ballroom, two kitchens, a massive movie theater, a pool, tennis courts and a ninecar garage. Here in Santa Barbara, I recall that in 2007 hedge-fund investor Bruce Kovner probably paid around $100 million to acquire his contiguous 22-acre beach front Padaro Lane properties. Anyway, let’s see, what happened after 2007? Last September, the money craze hit the wine market as well. After all, if you can’t afford the big estate or the Ferrari, you can still have the best wines. Like 12 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 1978 vintage for $39,500… per bottle. In all fairness, this went to a thirsty Chinese buyer at a Hong Kong sale. In New York, someone paid only $14,000 for three bottles of Romanée-Conti, 1999 vintage. By the way, at an auction of Chinese art in Hong Kong a few days ago, prices went through the roof. A tiny Ming Dynasty porcelain cup, a rarity called the Meiyintang “chicken cup” (it had little chickens painted on it) sold for $36 million. I’m a fan of Chinese art, but really, $36 million? Marginal cars, marginal art, marginal properties, marginal watches and overpriced wine. That tells me that there is too much money sloshing around. And when money like that is tossed around by those who have benefited from the Fed’s largesse, there is something wrong. I’ve seen too many cycles to be fooled again by money steroids. These phenomena repeat themselves over and over with every cycle, and nobody seems to notice or even care while the markets are hot. They think the party will last forever. But it never does. These, my friends, are bad signs for those who are fully invested and highly leveraged.


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with Mark Léisuré

Mark spends much of his time wandering Santa Barbara and environs, enjoying the simple things that come his way. A show here, a benefit there, he is generally out and about and typically has a good time. He says that he writes “when he feels the urge” and doesn’t want his identity known for fear of an experience that is “less than authentic.” So he remains at large, roaming the town, having fun. Be warned.

Fair’s Fair for Teenager

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hen most of her contemporaries are screaming their guts on at the carnival – either from exhilaration on the rides or in reaction to the corn dogs and cotton candy – Jamey Geston has other plans for participating in the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo. The 15-year-old Santa Barbara native is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (vocals, guitar, ukulele, piano and bass) who has been performing in public before she even hit double digits. So while most kids her age will be sporting all-day wristbands for rides, she’ll be belting out some song, including mostly originals, from one of the main stages. Oh, and it’s something like her fifth year performing at the Fair & Expo. “I didn’t dream about being a rock star when I was younger, but playing music just happened,” Geston said. “My dad was a musician, and I got into acting and performing, and it went hand-inhand.” Like many locals, Geston’s first exposure came at the Farmers Market. “There was a guy singing gospel and blues, and I’d sing ‘Amazing Grace’ with him sometimes,” she recalled. “When I started playing guitar, he let me share his space. That’s where it all started.” The early gigs were mostly around her home in Carpinteria and Summerland, but things have certainly grown since those days. Now, Geston plays clubs and concert halls from Goleta to Los Angeles – she’s had a regular recent gig down in Malibu – and has graced quite a few important venues. Earlier this winter, she played two showcases at the music instrument/industry NAMM Show 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center, where a year before she became the youngest and only solo artist to debut on the new Grand Plaza Stage. She’s also shared the stage with the likes of local legends Jeff Bridges and

Jamey Geston, all of 15 years old, will perform at the SB Fair & Expo.

Kenny Loggins, and singer-songwriter Will Champlin, as well as opened for Grammy Award winner Albert Lee. Geston was also a finalist in the 2013 Santa Barbara Independent Downtown Sound Battle of the Bands, where she was the only solo artist competing against five male bands, and also made the finals of the 2012 Zoey’s Cafe “One to Watch” Emerging Songwriter in Ventura, where she was the youngest artist to reach the final round in the competition’s history. Given all those shows, her schedule would give a full-timer pause, let alone a teenager with school and homework obligations. “Honestly I don’t have time to shower,” she said. “It’s hard to handle school and music, because I have shows after school and at night and weekends. But I’m getting by ok.” Still, her commitments have already

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More Music al fresco The Santa Barbara Bowl season gets underway on Saturday, April 19, when the veteran British rock crooner Bryan Ferry brings his swinging orchestra to the East Side amphitheater. Next up is the Cincinnati-born, Brooklyn-based indie pop band The National, who share a bill with Portugal The Man on Friday, April 25.

‘Geniuses’ Hit Town the Same Night Jazz violinist Regina Carter, who earned a MacArthur “Genius” Award back in 2006, brings her latest effort – a rural roots-folk influenced album tracing her grandfather’s history in Alabama – to the Lobero Theatre on Tuesday, April 22, which is also the same night that fellow winner choreographer Kyle Abraham – who nabbed his MacArthur just last year – makes his Santa Barbara debut with the Abraham.In.Motion Dance Company at Campbell Hall. The company will also perform the gritty, hip-hop-influenced piece Pavement, which encompasses both urban and classical dance – the following night, April 23.

Double D Dance Mark Dendy Dance Projects’ DANCEworks residency at the Lobero comes to a close on Saturday, April 26, with a performance of Dystopian Distractions!, a world premiere of a new work created on site over the last month. It’s a black, comedic deconstruction of the American war machine as conceived by an artist interested in exploring our relationship with war through the lens of pop culture. Fun!

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cost her one of the rites of passage of kids in their mid-teens. “I could have gotten my driver’s permit last weekend,” she said. “But I lagged on starting driver’s ed. I’m a little bummed about that.” Geston, who counts Taylor Swift and Paramore among her early influences while currently favoring British singersongwriter Gabrielle Aplin, describes her sound as “hard, acoustic folk indie-pop, or acoustic indie folk pop – whichever.” So opening for folk legend Judy Collins at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills recently lands high on the list of her favorite gigs. “I also liked NAMM, because it’s a lot of exposure and I got to meet really cool people.” Those connections will probably come in handy down the road as Geston pursues a professional career in music, even as she evinces a surprisingly mature outlook on her chances at stardom. “I would like to be a performer, but if not, I want to do something with the music industry. Possibly a songwriter for other people. Maybe be on the business side of things if it comes to that, whatever I can do to be part of entertainment.” In the meantime, there’s some sessions with fellow songwriters who have asked Geston to co-write with them, and there’s plans to return to the studio to make another formal recording, a more singer-songwriter effort as opposed to the tracks she recorded with her band, the Wha-Whas. And, of course, these shows at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, with the smell of popcorn and peanuts fresh in the air. If there’s time, she might even hit the midway herself. “Oh yeah, I do hang out,” she said, sounding more like a typical teen. “I go on rides. The fair’s a blast.” The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo takes place Wednesday, April 23, through Sunday, April 27. For ticket prices,

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Pre-Register: www.acdc-sb.org


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GIRL

Set down your items and lounge in the wooden chair.

by Kateri Wozny Kateri is an award-winning journalist with a

background in print, online, radio and TV news. A native of Minneapolis, MN, she has written for the Chicago Sun-Times Media Group, Pepperdine University and Acorn Newspapers. She works full time as a public relations manager locally and loves exploring the Santa Barbara fashion scene. Follow her on Twitter @kitkatwozny.

Hidden Treasures:

Shop Girl Rummages through The Attic Consignment Shop Mother-anddaughter team Susan Margaret and Jennifer Pacella have owned The Attic for 8 years.

I

had been on a grueling hunt for the perfect apartment and, after months of searching, I finally signed a lease. With more space, I decided I needed some new items to decorate it up a bit and for entertaining. Word around town was I should visit The Attic (formerly Santa Barbara Consignment Company) on Milpas because of its many unique gems. Walking in, I was blown away with how many pieces the 3,000 square-foot showroom holds. Turn your head one way and there are beds, chairs, couches, lamps,

coffee tables – any kind of furniture you can imagine. Turn the other way, there is an array of books, CDs and glassware. Out back there are items for patios. I knew if I didn’t go through the store slowly and carefully, I was bound to miss something spectacular. But owners and mother-daughter team Susan Margaret and Jennifer Pacella were eager to show me their top-quality items. “We are a premier, upscale resale store and it’s a fun place to shop. We are very particular what we take in because of space and many of our items are interesting,”

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Margaret and Pacella said. Pacella had grown up in Orange County and went to school at UCSB. They thought OC already had too many consignment shops and, after realizing Santa Barbara needed one, they opened The Attic in August 2006. The store has weathered most of the changes in the economy and, since then, it has grown in size and popularity. They’ve been at their new location for the past 2 ½ months (614 North Milpas). Previously, they were a couple blocks away near Rusty’s Pizza. “It’s a perfect size and location. The shoe fits,” Pacella said. “I grew up in an entrepreneurial family and always sold pre-owned items. For me, I couldn’t fathom not owning my own business.”

Recycled Santa Barbara Both women want to make it clear that The Attic is not a thrift shop. More so, it’s “recycled Santa Barbara,” as Margaret puts it. “We sometimes have pieces that have been here three times, then someone else buys them. All items are pre-owned, so we’re the mother of all ‘green’ businesses in recycling,” she said. From contemporary and Asian to African and Indian pieces, The Attic’s items come from all over the world due to their customers’ travels. Pacella also says that their prices are also more affordable than some of the thrift shops in town. Indeed, prices range from $1 for CDs, books and small items in the Tchotchkes Room, to $5,000 for a Ralph Lauren bag or table. I found for myself some gorgeous set wine glasses, some new plates and a few candle holders. The most popular items sold are sofas, dining tables, beds and estate jewelry. Half-priced items are

marked with a red dot. “We get new merchandise in every day and we are successful because it spans so many different things. We carry high-end furniture for about a tenth of the retail value,” Pacella said.

Consign or Donate Practically all of The Attic’s items come from locals, who have the opportunity to consign or donate them. Pacella says if an item is consigned, the commission is split, and for those wanting to donate, the store can pick up the items. Proceeds are given to several local charities, including the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and D.A.W.G. Last year alone, The Attic donated more than $50,000 in cash and merchandise. “We’ve built a name for ourselves in the community, and we like to give to nonprofit organizations who can benefit,” Pacella said. “If we don’t sell it within four months, we donate it to a charity.” No matter which option customers choose, The Attic will remain rooted in Santa Barbara. A second store is also in the works to open in Santa Ynez by late May of this year on Edison Street. “We want to expand more into estate sales and take donations for more nonprofit organizations,” Margaret said. Pacella agrees. “The Santa Barbara community has welcomed us with open arms and we want to be able to give back,” she said. The Attic is located at 614 North Milpas Street. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-6pm. For more information, call 586-1425 or visit www. theattic.org. Those wishing to consign furniture pieces should email photos to info@theatticsb.org. Don’t forget to like them on Facebook at The Attic SB; new items are posted daily!

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by James Luksic A longtime writer, editor and film critic, James has

worked nationwide for several websites and publications – including the Dayton Daily News, Key West Citizen, Topeka Capital-Journal and Santa Ynez Valley Journal. California is his eighth state. When he isn’t watching movies or sports around the Central Coast, you can find James writing and reading while he enjoys coffee and bacon, or Coke and pizza.

Better Days Ahead?

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t has been, sorry to report, a rough and discouraging year at the cinema. Among the dozens of movies I’ve witnessed on the silver screen, only The Lunchbox (briefly reviewed below) is worthy of a 4-star rating; a close second would be the almighty Noah, followed by Wes Anderson’s amusing if overpraised The Grand Budapest Hotel. Most other nationwide releases since January have ranged from ordinary (such as concurrent Draft Day, which is agreeable but not vital for football fans) to instantly forgettable. Don’t fret just yet. Right around the bend are a few hopefuls – including the true World War II drama The Railway Man, co-starring Colin Firth (as a British army officer) and Nicole Kidman; the sci-fi thriller Godzilla, director Gareth Edwards’ revival of the Japanese monster mash; and Fading Gigolo, whose intriguing title is nothing compared to the fact its all-star cast includes Woody Allen and John Turturro, with the latter directing (that isn’t a misprint). Before those potential gems, there’s The Other Woman, this year’s version of The Heat – meaning a predictable, overwrought comedy whose trailer was shown for months ad nauseum. Not just one trailer, mind you, but multiple versions – so by the time the movie is actually released (April 25?) in theaters, it will look exasperatingly familiar. Since January, I have seen at least five different trailers for The Other Woman; the novelty of supermodel Kate Upton’s bubbly presence has long faded. We can be quite certain the best scenes, the funniest quips and gags, have been spoiled, milked, ruined. I could voice a similar complaint about A Haunted House 2. I could, if I cared.

Value Meal

H

ere’s delicious food for thought: A third of the way through 2014, the year’s finest picture is The Lunchbox, an independent dramedy from India. The light romance, writer-director Ritesh Batra’s impressive debut, tells a simple but sweet story out of Mumbai: A claims adjuster (Irrfan Kahn from Life of Pi) on the verge of retirement inadvertently begins receiving tasty lunches from a neglected housewife (lovely Nimrat Kaur). A discreet friendship unspools, via handwritten notes exchanged within the food’s containers. What’s appreciated most in this corner is the filmmaker’s uncommon sense: Nothing within The Lunchbox feels forced, nothing hurried, nothing out of place. Batra has taken a modest premise and shaped it into something personal, compelling and altogether refined. Hooray for Bollywood.

Captain Cardboard

C

aptain America: The Winter Soldier refers, of course, to the Marvel -- not necessarily Marvel-ous – comic-book tale about the titular superhero (once again Chris Evans) fighting to defend humankind. Also returning from the prequel, The First Avenger, is Samuel L. Jackson, joined this time by Scarlett Johansson, whose character

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tries to calm the protagonist and audiences (“Relax, it isn’t complicated”). It just wouldn’t be a conspiracy thriller without Robert Redford, acting like he means business as a world security honcho, though his understated delivery remains intact (“I guess the floor is mine”). Evans looks perfect, but has neither the charisma nor panache – à la Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man – to punch his weight in this ring of heavyweights. When there isn’t rapid-fire combat, the narrative stalls with statements about policy, ultimatums, truth and justice – none of which needed to be hashed out for 137 minutes.

Danger Zone

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n the godforsaken Sabotage, Arnold Schwarzenegger spearheads a DEA task force that pursues drug cartels. The suspense must be killing you. Armed with a premise straight out of the 1980s (and 90s and the past decade), our hero – who is too old for this type of thing – feigns concern when members of his posse get killed in horror-film fashion. Who took the missing $10 million? Who cares? Certainly not director David Ayer or scripter Skip Woods, who sprinkle nothing original on this overcooked casserole of crime. Ayer and his cameramen ratchet up the gristly, ghastly images for no other reason than to make viewers wince and squirm. It’s all about revenge and vindication with Schwarzenegger in his notorious “Nothing-will-stop-me” mode. The first half is downright despicable, as if the filmmakers were purposely striving for ineptitude. Difficult to believe, with a gifted crew comprised of Terrence Howard, Olivia Williams, Martin Donovan and Sam Worthington – all of whom should’ve known better. Schwarzenegger, quite enjoyable in The Last Stand, appears to be going through the motions here, as if waiting for his paycheck to clear.

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...continued from p.27 Crista Dix, owner of Wall Space Gallery, with her biggest supporter, Jim Ward.

and juxtaposed them against overloaded dizzying fabric. This tension opens up a dialogue of modern women, classic ideals and the reality of trying to have it all. The show runs through Sunday, May 11, and is a must see when you are in the Funk. Say “Hi!” to Crista Dix, owner, and don’t forget to check out what’s in the flat files. There are some gems hiding in there waiting for you.

Having My Cake and Eating It, Too All those pictures of cake made me crave the real thing. And who has some of the best cakes in Santa Barbara? Crushcakes & Café, of course. Their cupcakes are, hands down, the ruling confection. Their creations have been featured on Food Network; they’ve been chosen to participate multiple times on Cupcake Wars. On top of that, they continue to be highlighted in print (Rachael Ray’s Everyday, Sunset Magazine and all the local papers). Owner Shannon Gaston keeps Crushcakes deliciously current by checking in with larger cities like L.A. and N.Y. to bring the culinary evolution to us. (Thanks Shannon!) Her devil-maycare attitude and passion for food has helped expand the once small cupcake into a full-blown café with multiple locations. Her three shops – downtown Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Isla Vista – have garnered a cult following and are

clearly here to stay. Crushcakes bakes their confections daily with natural ingredients, using local and organic items when they are available. Yes, they make cupcakes but they also make full sized-birthday and wedding cakes. You won’t find any fondant here, only fresh fluffy frosting. They even have a vegan and gluten-free variety available for their customers with special dietary needs. The moist and delicious signature Crushcake, a red velvet cake paired with sour cream frosting, sells out almost daily, as does their Strawberry Blush, a fresh pressed strawberry cake made with real crushed strawberries and topped with an airy, pink strawberry frosting. They have the classics, Chocolate Bliss and Cool Vanilla Bean, but they also make a different specialty alcohol-infused cupcake every Friday. What better way to celebrate any given (birthday!) weekend than with a cocktail, right? They have a beer laden Blue Moon Cake topped with fresh orange zest, but their most popular invention so far is a Fresh Lime Margarita Cupcake, described by Rachael Ray’s magazine as, “…the love child of a stiff drink and an airy meringue.” I know where I’m going to be this Friday when my afternoon sweet tooth (and alcohol craving) kicks in. Cupcakes aside, Crushcakes’ food is delicious and memorable as well. One

Crushcakes owner Shannon Gaston’s passion and attitude have helped expand the business.

Gaston’s sister, Alex, is all smiles on the job.

of my favorites is their rather unique Huevos Rancheros. It is a lighter, glutenfree version of the original, having been deconstructed and reassembled. It keeps all of its delicious layered flavor without overloading your belly. Speaking of overdoing it, if you had one too many of those cocktail cupcakes on Friday night, then maybe come Saturday morning the Hangover Helper is just what the doctor ordered. This heavy breakfast sandwich – stuffed with eggs, cheddar, applewood bacon and tomatoes – is the only way to soak up last night’s good time. You can perk up with some of their Intelligentsia coffee or maybe a specialty drink, such as a Snickerdoodle Latte. Once you’ve filled up your belly with food and your veins with caffeine, why not finish off your meal with one of their tiny two-bite mini cupcakes? I mean, you are at a cupcake café… One last reason Crushcakes is so awesome is because of its incredibly

inspiring owner. If you get the chance to sit and talk with Shannon like I did, you’ll know you’ve met one of the most interesting people in Santa Barbara (and made a new friend, too). Humble yet refreshingly honest, she has taken on life’s challenges with full force and her success is a testament to her determination. It was in 2008 (remember the year when the entire U.S. economy imploded?) after a five-day yoga retreat when she cleared her head and heart, and decided to leave behind her office job and trade in her 401(k). Determined for success, this single mother of two sets of twins (yes, that’s right two and two) boldly opened Crushcakes, applied her MBA and restaurant knowledge (her family owns Giovanni’s Pizza, and she and her first husband used to own Bitterman’s Deli, which gave way to The Blue Owl), and she has never looked back. All I have to say is: Number one, who does that? And number two, awesome! You go, girl! My birthday wish for all of you readers is that you get up, get out and just go for it. Thank you everyone for celebrating with me this month. Now go look at art and treat yourself to something sweet!


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through the air. Although powerful, the scent fades nicely once on the skin and if the awesome aromatics don’t get you then the wholly natural ingredients will. The list is short and fully identifiable at first read. AKVA Organics owner and founder Christina Ragsdale’s background in the sciences has helped her craft skin care products that are effective and safe, not just trendy. The lotion slides on silky smooth and the grapeseed, apricot kernel, camellia and sunflower oils leave our skin actually feeling quenched. Though we have yet to try her other soaps, toners and powders, we’d be surprised if they were anything less than fantastic, too. Isn’t it time you read your lotion labels? www.etsy.com/shop/akvaorganics

by Briana Westmacott pring is calling us. Get out into nature. Feel the fresh air. Santa Barbara has so much beauty right outside our backdoor. We’ve got the dish on a getaway that is going to satisfy all your outdoor cravings, with a little luxury by Sylvie Butera Rich sprinkled in there, too. ome is indeed where the Silver Safari is a locally based business that will make your camping experience heart is, but that could be ridiculously easy and unforgettable. Meredith Klassen and her husband will deliver a “LIFE IS FUNNY, MAN. IT’S UNPREDICTABLE.” vintage trailer to a campsite of your choice, and you will be happy. You’ll be happy to anywhere when the ones you We had it all, by most objective standards anyway. Every last love are at your side. Life is a have the great outdoors as your patio while being able to step into your own bit shining of it. an attorneyjourney with a strongand and growing in one practice family literally oasis. The kitchen, bathroom, bedding, pillows, stereo, games and necessities Santa inI was your Barbara. My wife, Wendi, stayed home with our two makes a house broadening young daughters, and Kate,it at our near the beach. adventure trailer will make you happy. The classic decor and special touches that Meredith has Lily We had dinner parties and ballet recitals and swimming lessons withoutof day-to-day borders. crafted in her trailers will make you happy. It’s so simple and serene, that it’sandalmost all the other accoutrements life inOur modern very own California. Things were good, even really good. Editor-in-Chief of Matt Mazza, unfair to call it camping. The truth is that we had exactly what we always wanted. We had exactly what financial and career counselors the advisors Sentinel, tells advised his personal Here’s what you need to do to take your own Silver Safari: was appropriate and reasonable. We painted by numbers, we tale of a family adventure around checked the boxes, we did it all right. We succeeded. 1. RESERVE: Get on the Silver Safari website to reserve your dates and the trailer you So it was surprising, I think, when we got on an airplane in the world in his newly published would like. We absolutely loved staying in one called Audrey! June 2011 with only what we could comfortably carry on our backs and left everything else behind. Leaving it All Behind. 2. CALL: Get in touch with the campground to reserve your spot. Silver Safari will book, We had no idea that we were leaving it for good. A lighthearted story with very deliver their trailers to almost all of the local campgrounds, from Buellton to Ojai Leaving It All Behind is a true travel tale told in real time during real sentiment, it will make you and everywhere in between. We recommend Ocean Mesa at El Cap Canyon forvoyage around the world. It is distinctly not one family’s just a recitation of foreign people andto placestake but speaks intimately aboutthe seas to want off across your stay: www.oceanmesa.com. a diversity of experiences and ultimately about how much more Courage at the heart there is to life than anew fancy joblands. title and big paycheck. Fromistime 3. PACK: It is possible to pack close to nothing, since Silver Safari brings everything spent as barge captains in France and organic farmers in Italy to of this in aorphanages, searchandto find the you will need. days and nights in South African tale and Nepalese from remote beachestrue in Croatia and India to of the Mekong River meaning day-to-day living. 4. SMILE: You have successfully become a happy camper! and caves of rural northern Thailand, Leaving It All Behind really chronicles a kindredGaining journey from perspective a conventional lifestyle to abroad from www.sbsilversafari.com something more balanced and harmonious, maybe, something many diverse cultures and ways more fulfilling. Perhaps, even, to something more real. of living might just $15.00 be what you need. It was for Matt and his TOW H E A D I N D U S T R I E S , L LC SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA family when they said goodbye to WWW.TOWHEADINDUSTRIES.COM their conventional American life Matthew S. Mazza by Courtney Dietz and hello to, well, the world. Be inspired. Be adventurous. Be the true captain of your own ship.

 Find your copy o you ever smell something and it immediately transports you back to a certain time of Leaving it All Behind at www.amazon.com or locally at Chaucer’s, The Book Den, or place? When we first used AKVA Organics Orange Blossom and Jasmine lotion, Tecolote or the Curious Cup. we were swept away to a sultry summer evening, the heady smell of jasmine wafting

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CALCAG-KNOWS

REAL ESTATE by Michael Calcagno

Michael has consistently been ranked in the top 1% of Sotheby’s agents worldwide. Shortly after joining Sotheby’s, he partnered with Nancy Hamilton to form one of the most successful real estate teams in Santa Barbara. Michael can be reached at Michael@HomesinSantaBarbara.com

of 26%, from 132 to 97. Sales compared to last year’s had a 3% increase from 47 to 48. The average sold price west of State spiked by 33% from $841,337 to $1,123,677. Not too shabby for one year. If you are in the market or think you will be soon, get out and take a look at a few properties this weekend.

477 Paseo Del Descanso

Market’s Monthly Breakdown

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he numbers are in for March, and what an amazing month it was. Our market has been steadily increasing for the last year, and there seems to be no sign of slowing anytime soon. The demand for Santa Barbara properties – whether a primary residence, a second home or an investment – is at an all-time high and there is a serious lack of inventory. With a dearth of inventory and high demand, prices are sure to be on the rise and April’s numbers should be even better. So let’s take a look at the stats for March. The Santa Barbara area’s new listings to come on the market from January-March dropped dramatically from the previous years. 2012 had 443 new listings, 2013 showed 447 and 2014, so far, has 392. The medium sales price has had a dramatic change as well from previous years. In 2012, the medium sales price for January-March was $785,000, while 2013 medium during the same time frame was $890,000. As you would expect, 2014 has risen even higher and the median price this year is $1,020,000. Not a bad increase for the last two years! Let’s look at the numbers for the three specific areas and see what’s happened as of late: East of State Street had a decrease of new listings from the previous year of 13% from 181 to 157. Sales east of State compared to the previous year had a 0% change from 59 to 59. The average sales price east of State saw an increase of 24% from the previous year of $1,065,896 to $1,329,608. West of State also had a slide in new listings Mortgage statistics provided by Justin M. Kellenberger, Senior Loan Officer at SG Premier Lending Group, Inc. Justin can always be reached at justin@sgpremierlending.com. Note: The foregoing economic breakdowns do not include potential tax benefit analyses since that will ultimately depend upon a number of additional factors. But home ownership can indeed have tremendous tax-savings potential and should be considered with your realtor and/or tax accountant as part of the ownership decision.

Purchase price: $650,000 Down payment (20%): $130,000 Loan amount: $520,000 Payment: $2,596

(30-year fixed at 4.375% (4.41% APR))

Property taxes: $595 Home insurance: $80

Total Monthly Payment: $3,270

2830 Glendessary Lane 1207 Diana Lane

Purchase price: $849,000 Down payment (20%): $169,800 Loan amount: $679,200 Payment: $3,391

(30-year fixed at 4.375% (4.41% APR))

Property taxes: $778 Home insurance: $80

Total Monthly Payment: $4,249

Purchase price: $1,695,000

Down payment (20%): $339,000 Loan amount: $1,356,000 Payment: $6,770 (30-year fixed at 4.375% (4.41% APR)) Property taxes: $1,553 Home insurance: $120

Total Monthly Payment: $8,443


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this is our world Visit onlywithus.com to discover the benefits available through us alone. the Peabody estate “solana” | search web#0113621 at sothebyshomes.com santa barbara area brokerages | sothebyshomes.com/santabarbara | sothebyshomes.com/santaynez montecito coast village road | montecito upper village | santa barbara | santa ynez valley sotheby’s international realty and the sotheby’s international realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. operated by sotheby’s international realty, inc.

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PARK LANE ESTATE | WEB: 0631821 | $11,900,000 Frank Abatemarco 805.450.7477

JEWEL ON THE PACIFIC | WEB: 0592695 | $8,950,000 Adam McKaig 805.452.6884

OCEAN-VIEW GATED ESTATE | WEB: 0113644 | $6,495,000 Kathleen St James 805.705.0898

RANCHO ESPERANZA | WEB: 0113783 | $4,900,000 Suzanne Perkins 805.895.2138

PRESTIGIOUS LOCATION | WEB: 0113790 | $4,250,000 Kathleen St James 805.705.0898

UPPER EAST EDWARDIAN | WEB: 0592787 | $3,165,000 Tiffany Doré 805.689.1052, Catherine O’Neill 805.886.7760

HOPE RANCH OPPORTUNITY | WEB: 0592760 | $2,595,000 Stephanie Wilson 805.895.3270, Ed Kaleugher, Gail Beust

LUXURIOUS DOWNTOWN LIVING | WEB: 0592746 | $1,335,000

Kevin Schmidtchen 805.689.6877

DESIRABLE VIEJA GARDENS | WEB: 0592777 | $599,000 Justin Corrado 805.451.9969

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY LISTINGS

CAPA RANCH AND VINEYARD | WEB: 0621595 | $3,199,000 Laura Drammer 805.448.7500

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY RETREAT | WEB: 0621593 | $1,475,000 Patricia Castillo 805.570.6593

THE ALISAL RANCH REDONE | WEB: 0621577 | $787,500 Patricia Castillo 805.570.6593

SANTA BARBARA AREA BROKERAGES | sothebyshomes.com/santabarbara | sothebyshomes.com/santaynez MONTECITO COAST VILLAGE ROAD | MONTECITO UPPER VILLAGE | SANTA BARBARA STATE STREET | SANTA YNEZ VALLEY Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.


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