
6 minute read
Laughing Matters Montecito Miscellany
from Here to Help!
Monte ito Miscellany by Richard Mineards
Headed to Hollywood Richard covered the Royal Family for Britain’s Daily Mirror and Daily Mail, and was an editor on New York Magazine. He was also a national anchor on CBS, a commentator on ABC Network News, gossip on The Joan Rivers Show and Geraldo Rivera, host on E! TV, a correspondent on the syndicated show Extra, a commentator on the KTLA Morning News and Entertainment Tonight. He moved to Montecito 12 years ago.
For 45 years, Montecito Bank & Trust has been serving our local communities and we will continue to stand by you as we face another challenge together. Stay healthy friends and please take care of yourself, your loved ones and your community.
Help protect our community by: • Washing your hands for 20 seconds • Staying home if you are not feeling well • Remaining home if you are 65+ • Keeping a responsible distance from others For the safety of our staff & community, all of our branch lobbies will be closed. We will be providing service through Walk-Up or Drive-Through ONLY. For availability of all branches, visit montecito.bank/alerts
San Marcos High sophomore and Santa Barbara Teen Star Sofia Schuster really is a golden girl! The 16-year-old singer traveled down to Los Angeles to an audition for the latest series of the popular ABC TV series American Idol in front of local warbler Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, and received the golden ticket to Hollywood from the tony triumvirate.
Sofia, daughter of ShelterBox USA president Kerri Murray, is a longtime performer in our Eden By the Beach, including Girls Rock and bubbly Janet Adderley’s Youth Ensemble Theater. The youngest performer of the current season, she sang her own original song, a controversial piece about women’s reproductive rights, with lyrics like: “My body, my choice. It’s not up to the boys.”
Richie gave her an A-plus for songwriting, while Katy compared Sofia, who was born with paralyzed vocal cords and told by doctors she’d never talk, to a younger version of herself as she made it through the first round of Hollywood Week in the singer-songwriter category.
“I am thrilled for Sofia,” enthuses Kerri. “She’s an inspiration for me, not just for her achievements, but for being someone who goes after her goals and doesn’t give up.” You go girl...
Viral Vibrato

Gene Tyburn a hit on YouTube
MONTECITO JOURNAL6 “The most wasted of days is one without laughter.” – E.E. Cummings Montecito arborist and amateur opera composer Gene Tyburn is on a high note!
A video of his opera Macbeth on YouTube has now achieved more than one million views.
“It was all filmed in just one take by a friend,” says an elated Gene, owner of TLC Tree Services for more than 45 years, who was introduced to opera as montecito.bank *Must have a registered account. Additional Services Available: 24/7 Online & Mobile Banking * : montecito.bank 24/7 Telephone Banking: (800) 608-1995 Service Center (Monday–Friday • 7am–6pm): (805) 963-7511
Sofia Schuster lands American Idol’s Golden Ticket

a youngster.
“It has long been my dream to create opera works that would have popular appeal for Americans. Thus I have created works from Shakespeare’s plays that interested me the most, and that I felt had the best opportunity to be good opera material.”
Gene has also written two new works, Iago and Hamlet. His website is www.tyburnoperas.com.
It’s good to see him branching out into to new arias....
When it Rains, it Pours As if the coronavirus restrictions weren’t enough, Milt and Arlene Larsen, owners of the Magic Castle opposite the Andree Clark Bird Refuge, have had their computers hacked.
“It really was an absolute mess,” says Arlene. “Whoever did it fixed it so we could not send out letters to let everyone know.”
The dynamic duo have now invested in a new computer just for members for security.
“With luck that should help. After we were compromised, we cleaned everything off the old computer. We are going to use this enforced down time to re-program the new equipment and fix up the club’s gift shop.” The couple say they are trying to keep the club’s staffers working as long as they can afford to keep paying them.
“It is a little hard with no income,
JUST SOLD



1145 Eugenia Pl, Carpinteria CA
Full NNN-leased investment
Dylan Ward represented the buyer of this 24,772 SF Class A oce building on 1.59 acres.



List price: $9.3 million Call today to discuss real estate investments or to see what your property is worth!
To Our Valued Clients, Friends and Community
As a homegrown Santa Barbara business, Village Properties stands united with our community in this unprecedented time. Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected with the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing. All the more so, we must remain strong, united and above all kind. Our community will prevail.
We care deeply about our communities where we live and work, and through these challenging days this is a message we want to share with you more than ever.

Please be assured that our agents and staff will continue to serve you and your real estate needs. Let us know however we can assist you. We remain committed to providing you unparalleled knowledge, and service.
From our Village to yours stay safe and healthy.
Welcome to our Virtual Village
Our mission is to serve our community. At this time we are focused on how to best protect and support our community. For the safety of everyone we now offer many of our real estate services virtually.
Consultations We will host consultations with you virtually through Facetime, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Slack, Skype, GoToMeeting, etc.
Virtual Tours At this time virtual property tours are most appropriate. We can provide video tours and a detailed analysis of any homes you are interested in buying. Visit our Virtual Village to view our listings from the comfort of your home at: villagesite.com/visit-our-virtual-village
Writing Offers As a technology driven company, we have the ability to create a comparative market analysis, and write and sign all offers for your dream home virtually.

Questions or Concerns Now more than ever our team will be available to provide any assistance you may need. if you have more specific questions on our available services at this time, contact your Village Properties agent or us at info@villagesite.com. We look forward to assisting you!