Summerland Buzz

A third-generation Californian, Leslie, currently resides in Carpinteria but called Summerland home for 30 years. The award-winning writer assists clients sell fine art, antiques and collectibles at auction houses around the globe. She can be reached at LeslieAWestbrook@gmail.com or www.auctionliaison

Adam’s Angels A dam McKaig, Realtor and Summerland/Toro Canyon resident, decided to ask friends and neighbors to join him in an effort to help out our neighbors. “Adam’s Angels” now consists of some 40 volunteer citizens who have signed up in the Summerland area and beyond to help deliver supplies to those who are housebound due to COVID-19 quarantines. Adam’s idea grew organically via Facebook and Nextdoor, which is where I discovered this great free service.

All of the deliveries and supplies come free of charge, Adam said. He is getting up early (5 am) to do his real estate work, then hitting the streets. Adam had just completed a morning run to CVS to fill a prescription for a person in need in Santa Barbara when we spoke on rainy Monday while he was driving around Ventura and Oxnard for supplies.

“I am a kind of General,” Adam

Adam McKaig of “Adam’s Angels” shopping for supplies in Ventura for those in need in Summerland and beyond

told me as he shopped for face masks, Clorox wipes, rubber gloves, as well as water, Gatorade, and even candy from Aldi (“a European Trader Joe’s, ya gotta have sweets!” he declared).

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Contact the Herlihy-Parker Team for details. Other stops included Grocery Outlet, the 99 Cents Store, and WinCo.

“There are people with trucks and trailers if there’s a need – it’s really been a great response and it makes me feel honored to live amongst these wonderful people,” said the Douglas Elliman Realtor. He noted that although their office is closed, escrows are still going on and he’s showing houses. (Not to mention it may be a good time to buy real estate with zero percent interest rates.)

Summerland based General Contractor Jed Hirsch has also signed on as an angel, but there are many angels throughout town on call to deliver throughout Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria.

People can volunteer to be an angel via Adam’s Facebook page or call him directly at (805) 452-6884 for assistance.

Hip, hip hooray! General McKaig and his angels on their way!

Through Rain, and Wind, and COVID-19

Since Summerland does not have mail delivery to homes, the Summerland Post Office 93067 has been the unofficial heartbeat and spot to bump into your neighbors. Not much bumping allowed anymore, unless it’s your elbow. Here too, where everyone knows one another, neighbors are helping neighbors. Postal clerk Bert Vega knows everyone as well and says she’s happy to do her small part for those who are housebound or in need. In addition to wiping down the counters, front door handles, the credit card machine, and counter often and providing hand sanitizer, Bert says that if someone really needs their mail or a package and can’t get to their P.O. Box (if she knows them as well as the person offering to help them) she will aid in assuring mail reaches the community. “We’re just working,” she noted, as she rushed off the phone to help a customer, noting, “People are not getting close to one another. If someone really needs their mail or package, I let neighbors help each other.”

Summerland Eats? Message Machines On… & One, Lone To-Go

Austin Herlihy 805.879.9633 aherlihy@radiusgroup.com CA Lic. 01518112

Chris Parker 805.879.9642 cparker@radiusgroup.com CA Lic. 01887788

I called a few businesses in Summerland to speak with a human being but got a lot of recordings. Field + Fort has “temporarily closed until it’s safe for staff and community. We hope you all stay healthy,” notes their outgoing message. The brief message at the Nugget sounded: “We are closed until further notice, please keep your families safe and healthy.”

But I got a live person when I called

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein Tinker’s Burgers! Tinker was cooking when I called and his helper Gray told me it’s been dead the past two days, but on Monday people were calling in orders and that they were the only place in town open for food.

They’ve taken precautionary measures and missives from the health department – all lids and condiments are kept in the back; tables are six feet apart and they are wearing gloves. In the event Tinker’s has to close seating they plan to offer “take out through a window.”

Despite a leaky roof, Tinker, who has been in business for 33 years, is working all the shifts with one helper and was in good spirits.

“We were always open – in fires, floods, and earthquakes! We don’t close for anybody – except the health department!”

Tinker’s daughter Megan owns the Red Kettle coffee shop next door and her pop noted that she’s still serving up cappuccinos and muffins.

Heal the Ocean

A note from longtime Summerlandian Hillary Hauser of Heal the Ocean informs that their offices in Santa Barbara are closed, but that the leaking Summerland oil wells are still being capped in June/July.

“The fishes of the sea don’t know what we humans are doing up here,” Hillary notes in her inimitable cheerful style in times of woe.

A Final Note

A sad goodbye to Layla Azar, who passed peaceful on February 9, and heartfelt condolences to her sweet husband of 37 years Jack Azar, Sr. and their three children Jack, Jr., George, and Danielle. Jack’s father owned the original grocery store in Summerland. After Layla came to this country from her native Lebanon and married Jack, she spent her entire adult life in Summerland, raising their lovely children, doing her beautiful needlework, and becoming a proud U.S. citizen.

For those who seek an exceptional life For those who seek an exceptional life

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