Back to The Club

Fighting Back 8-15 April 2021 Vol 27 Issue 15

SERVING MONTECITO AND SUMMERLAND

As cyber sexual assault rises, STESA launches its Create to Prevent campaign to deputize youths as change agents, page 24

Back to The Club The Montecito Club reopens with a bevy of new experiences that embrace a renewed focus on open-air amenities (story begins on page 6)

‘We Before Me’

Ben Williams, Head of School at Cate, explains navigating COVID and why boarding school is “magical,” page 29

Speak Now or . . .

Housing project on Hill Road has Montecito Association motivated to halt “disastrous laws” before they pass, page 10

A Positive Influence

Allie MacPhail uses her social media channels to aid fellow moms in achieving health and financial goals, page 14

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8 – 15 April 2021

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• The Voice of the Village •

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Inside This Issue

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5 Guest Editorial Hillary Hauser of Heal the Ocean breaks down Montecito’s water woes and why they aren’t as easy to fix as some would like to think 6 Village Beat Montecito Club to reopen after yearlong closure with impressive outdoor sports complexes, and more local news 8 Letters to the Editor There’s a need for more signs near Hot Springs Trail if car traffic is to decrease; while Cold Spring School District has questions to answer 10 Montecito on the Move A new project on Hill Road in Montecito is representative of the issues facing the area, with the Montecito Association’s Sharon Byrne sounding the alarm Tide Chart 12 Montecito Miscellany A tech billionaire has taken a $32 million estate off the market, while Montecito newbie Ariana Grande heads to The Voice 14 Montecito Moms Allie MacPhail relocated to Montecito from New York just eight years ago, and has found a way to make a living on both coasts 16 On Entertainment Niki Byrne has experienced a lot of life, but her latest venture into directing Evan Wood has seemingly helped her find her calling 20 Dear Montecito Dawson Fuss, a Montecito native that has risen to local fame with his success in the Teen Star singing competition, has used the pandemic to work on his craft 21 In Passing Brad Bartholomay not only left his mark on the Montecito community with his masonry and landscape work, but also on his beloved family

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24 The Giving List STESA provides confidential counseling and support services to survivors of sexual assault while striving to eliminate all forms of sexual violence in our community 26 PERSPECTIVES

By Rinaldo S . Brutoco Passover & Easter – Rebirth, Renewal, Release: A multireligious time for transformation The Optimist Daily LinkedIn offers more inclusive titles; Cool Food encourages employees to make smarter choices 27 On Science The truth is out there: Tom Farr explores exoplanets and extraterrestrials 29 Meet the Teacher The son of a boarding school leader himself, Ben Williams has been Head of School at Cate since 1997 30 Our Town Read ‘N Post staff members share heartfelt memories before the store closes later this month 32 Muller Monthly Music Meta Crossword Puzzle 33 Brilliant Thoughts Ashleigh Brilliant ponders stones of all kinds 34 Summerland Buzz As pandemic-induced restrictions continue to lighten, returning to the Summerland Salon and Spa is just what the body needs 36 Far Flung Travel The wetlands in Ormond Beach need our collective attention, particularly for the birds and wildlife that depend on it 46 Classified Advertising Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads, in which sellers offer everything from summer rentals to estate sales 47 Local Business Directory

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Guest Editorial

by Hillary Hauser

Debunking the Simplicity of Transforming Montecito’s Water Woes

I

n Bob Hazard’s guest editorial (MJ 1-8 April 2021) he offers the quote, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there,” as argument for supporting the road he is on personally, to combine water and wastewater districts, connect groundwater basins across the South Coast – extend pipes hither and yon.

This quote applies to journalism that leads readers around in circles with misstatements and wrong facts.

Taking Hazard’s points one by one:

“End the Dumping of Treated Wastewater into the Ocean”

Heal the Ocean has stated over and over to Mr. Hazard and members of the “Water Security Team” that as much as any of us (including Heal the Ocean) would like to have zero discharge into the ocean, it is for now an impossibility. The byproduct of wastewater treatment is brine, and brine contains toxic materials. It is super expensive to clean up, and the toxic salt has to go somewhere. Truck it to Arizona and put it under the mountain, next to nuclear waste? Bury it? Take it to Casmalia? Heal the Ocean researched every technology possible and published our findings in an informal brine report. It’s on the HTO website. Mr. Hazard, please read it, and see what the problems are.

In the meantime, if we really want to bring down the problem of brine waste, we can quit using water softeners. Those bags of “water softener” material you see outside grocery stores are nothing but salt and chlorides. Many communities in California have banned water softeners already.

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“(Bob) Hazard is right in saying Hillary Hauser blames the action of past water board members as the primary cause of the dysfunction. I still do. It was a giant opportunity missed. I was there, Montecito Sanitary District was there, I saw it with my own eyes and the truth is the truth.”

– Hillary Hauser, Heal the Ocean

Local Water Banking

“Regional banking will become the norm despite efforts in Carpinteria and Goleta to go it alone.” Hazard suggests underground banking could provide a five-year supply of community water. He fails to mention the physical cost (and impossibility) of running pipes from one groundwater basin to another, or from a groundwater basin to a communal reservoir. Caltrans will not permit pipelines hither and yon (Heal the Ocean could barely get a permit to run a short pipe down a side road in the Rincon septic-to-sewer project). The pumping up and down inclines is super-high energy (not encouraged with climate change), not to mention maintenance going and coming (and sets up many possibilities for failure). Finally, groundwater management programs are in place to protect and preserve groundwater in this time of climate change, not to collect it all and go on watering golf courses and cemeteries.

SYR

Groundwater Sustainability

In this section, Hazard promotes “…properly treated wastewater stored underground in water banks for withdrawal in periods of severe drought,” without mentioning that recycled water cannot be injected into a groundwater basin with inadequate “travel time.” Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR), which is what it’s called, means the wastewater is treated almost to drinking water standards but after injection into a groundwater basin, must remain there for an extended period of time before drawn out for human consumption. The Montecito water basin has been studied more than once and shown to be too small for this purpose. As for getting IPR water from any other basin, there is

8 – 15 April 2021

Editorial Page 224 • The Voice of the Village •

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Village Beat

by Kelly Mahan Herrick Kelly has been editor at large for the Journal since 2007, reporting on news in Montecito and beyond. She is also a licensed realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and is a member of Montecito and Santa Barbara’s top real estate team, Calcagno & Hamilton.

Montecito Club to Reopen Next Week

A new Sports Complex at Montecito Club will be a popular location for member date nights and summer family competitions

Michael Orosco recently joined Montecito Club as general manager The Montecito Club, which reopens next week, is putting a focus on expanding its outdoor programs

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y Warner’s Montecito Club is set to reopen Tuesday, April 13, after being closed for more than a year during the COVID pandemic. The Club, which features a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and social club, has expanded its offerings to include new outdoor amenities, including tennis lessons and clinics for all ages,

movies on the lawn, an outdoor sports complex featuring pickleball, basketball, beach volleyball, soccer field, badminton, a 15-foot-high sledding hill and batting cage equipped with state-of-the-art slow and fast pitching machines, and the addition of Platinum TE Paspalum grass on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

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“My vision is to create a private club like no other. We are pleased to reopen with new and innovative club features and a focus on outdoor programming to provide an elevated club experience,” Warner said in a statement.

The Club, which opened in 2019 after more than three years of renovations, blends ultra-luxe amenities with family-friendly features. The 101-year-old Spanish style building boasts sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands, framed by lush fairways and impeccable landscape. The main level of the clubhouse features a 6,500-square-foot Fitness Center comprised of two large rooms, both with panoramic ocean views. With an added medical and fitness hybrid approach, led by Dr. Maury Hayashida, Montecito Club offers onsite biometric testing, training instruction, and physical therapy treatment.

The lower level offers multiple locker rooms and lounges, spa treatment rooms, wine rooms, bars, restaurant areas, and more. For next-level entertainment, special screenings, and movie nights, the Club’s Dolby Atmos Theater is a true state-of-theart screening room and movie theater.

The walls are draped in midnight blue and gold silk, with 21 plum velvet reclining chairs and a 16-foot CinemaScope movie screen. Adjacent to the theater is a special concession area, showcasing cobalt Venetian plaster and hand-painted floors, offering popcorn machines, soda machines, frozen treats, and candy.

The Club also offers a Kids Club for

“Pie… it fills the cracks of the heart. Go away, pain.” – Kevin James

those with young children, complete with both indoor and outdoor activities, including a wall-to-wall Lego room. All recreational elements at the club – including golf, tennis, sports complex, and swimming – offer kids’ programming throughout the year.

Kid Coordinators are CPR trained and certified. A favorite area for kids of every age is the AMF Bowling Alley, which features laser light technology, disco, runway and black lights and lanes that glow in the dark. The alley takes on psychedelic hues for cosmic bowling. A graffiti artist was commissioned to paint the walls in vibrant, Day-Glo imagery, according to Montecito Club reps.

Outside, the brick bordered bocce ball court, complete with traditional oyster shell surface, is located near the ocean patio, the perfect spot to enjoy a specialty cocktail and some friendly competition. The court is inlaid with LED lights to brighten a favorite pastime during nighttime play, including glow in the dark bocce balls. The most popular place to be in the summer: The Club’s 25,000-square-foot pool facility, which features ocean views, two rimflow lap pools, and a beach-entry oval leisure pool (all with underwater speakers), whirlpool, kid’s splash pad, poolside bar, and al fresco dining venue complete with a wood burning pizza oven.

Part of the Club’s reopening strategy is to offer an exclusive window of opportunity to new and existing area residents who are interested in joining the club’s thriving social presence.

“Our goal is to build on the social presence the club has been known for over the past century,” Warner added.

“Montecito Club has a long history of inclusivity in our community, a place where members come together to foster family traditions and lifelong friendships.”

The relaunch of the membership program comes on the heels of a new addition, Michael Orosco, as general manager. Orosco joined the Montecito Club in March, with an extensive his-

Village Beat Page 324 324 8 – 15 April 2021

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Letters to the Editor

If you have something you think Montecito should know about, or wish to respond to something you read in the Journal, we want to hear from you. Please send all such correspondence to: Montecito Journal, Letters to the Editor, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite H, Montecito, CA. 93108. You can also FAX such mail to: (805) 969-6654, or E-mail to letters@montecitojournal.net

Loss of Parking for Hot Springs Trail

O

n March 31, 2021, I rode my bicycle to Riven Rock Road.

Signs were placed there saying “No Parking,” threatening tickets to those who did so. I asked Gary Smart of the road crew what was going on. He told me that white lines were going to be painted on both sides of the road to restrict parking for fire safety reasons. He suggested I contact Kevin Taylor, Fire Chief for the Montecito Fire Protection District, to get more information.

I did so, and Mr. Taylor was very informative. It turns out residents of Riven Rock Road had contacted the fire department as early as March 2020. The Montecito Association was also involved. About 75% of residents had to support the concept of the lines for them to be painted on the road. The fire department wants 20 feet of clearance for fire engines. People could be ticketed for parking in the roadway over the lines, as that is a violation of the California Vehicle Code.

Near Mountain Drive, on Riven Rock Road, there’s 15 feet of space remaining when cars are parked on the side – they are only parked on one side. A fourth of a mile down, the road without any cars parked narrows to 18-and-a-half feet, giving emergency vehicles three-and-a-half more feet to maneuver. A fire engine is about eight

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feet wide.

This wasn’t a mandatory program; it was up to the residents. If it had been necessary for public safety, it would have been mandatory.

I checked the area on Friday, April 2. The lines were in place, having been painted on April 1. Numerous cars were parked in the roadway over the lines on the side of the road where they always had been parked. The public didn’t know that parking was prohibited. Most people know not to park over the white lines on a busy road like East Valley Road, but don’t suspect there would be a problem on a quiet country lane. A lot of tickets may be given. If this is going to be enforced, to avoid bad feelings, there need to be “no parking” signs.

Although trail users have been parking on Riven Rock Road for decades, public input wasn’t solicited. Where are hikers going to park? There’s limited parking in the trailhead parking lot. Some people are parking on Mountain Drive, with some cars sticking out into the road. Before long, residents of that road will demand white lines. Already, people living there are closing off the shoulder to automobiles, with rocks being put out to the edge of the road. Signs

Letters Page 224

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How to reach us: Editorial: (805) 565-1860; Sue Brooks: ext. 4; Christine Merrick: ext. 3; Classified: ext. 3; FAX: (805) 969-6654; Letters to Editor: Montecito Journal, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108; E-MAIL: tim@montecitojournal.net

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• The Voice of the Village •

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2/3/21 12:46 PM

MONTECITO JOURNAL

Montecito on the Move

by Sharon Byrne, Executive Director, Montecito Association

Pack ‘em and Stack ‘em Housing in Montecito? Act Now Before It’s Too Late!

I

The Hill Road accessory dwelling unit

visited a project on Hill Road this week after receiving complaints from neighbors. As soon as I saw it, my heart sank. This is a second story ADU (accessory dwelling unit) that will decimate views and is built right to the edge of the driveway easement. Neighbors report it was piecemealed in permitting, so neither the neighbors nor MBAR (Montecito Board of Architectural Review) got a full sense of what it was going to be… until construction started.

A state law passed two years ago allows ADUs like this to be built with

no hearings. I feel very badly for these lovely neighbors, but there’s no recourse via county planning. The state ADU law supersedes local controls, by design.

In March, I asked the Montecito Planning Commission for the ADU tally for Montecito. Can we count ADUs in the state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)?

The answer from the County, relayed via our terrific MFPD Chief Kevin Taylor, who’s monitoring from the public safety perspective: • 162 ADU applications • 47 in Montecito, more than 25% of

all ADU applications • We have 0.02% of the county’s population We’re certainly doing our part in Montecito on ADUs, but these can have consequences for our community, as our Hill Road neighbors sadly discovered.

And it’s about to get a lot worse.

Someone could divide their lot in two, and construct two units of housing per lot per Senate Bill 9, proposed by Senator Toni Atkins of San Diego. That’s in addition to an ADU and Junior ADU already allowed per property. If you live near a “jobs-rich” area, such as Santa Barbara, 10-unit buildings would be allowed, thanks to Senate Bill 10 from Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco.

You read that right: no hearings, no CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), approvals just like ADUs. Just take out a building permit.

Montecito is a target for 10-unit buildings on lots like the above because people commute through it to “jobsrich” areas like Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Ventura.

Who would build a 10-unit building on your street? We’re in a real estate boom. If an investor could acquire a $5 million Montecito property, divide it under SB9, throw up 10 units next door under SB10, and flip the original house (now on a smaller lot), why wouldn’t they do that? The profit picture is quite compelling.

These bills rely on trickle-down economics in the hopes that a massive building boom will magically lead to affordability for someone,

somewhere. They’re likely to create a housing building boom that’s speculative-investment-driven instead.

We hosted a Zoom Town Hall forum on this last week. Jeff and Maria Kalban of Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association and United Neighbors presented. Jeff is a skilled architect, succinctly illustrating what your single-family residential street will look like after these bills pass. There’s a cautionary tale from Long Beach. In the 1990s, they thought allowing apartment block buildings to be built on single-family residential streets would help their housing issue.

Here’s how that turned out: United Neighbors is a statewide coalition that educates communities to get to their legislators. You can watch their presentation at our website. Montecito and Mesa neighbors attended, after reading our article in the Montecito Journal. This is the biggest land use fight to ever hit Montecito and thousands of communities at once. Senate leaders are determined to roll over NIMBY objections to more housing by removing local controls altogether.

We hired our former state senator, Hannah-Beth Jackson, to help Montecito. Here’s why: We opposed Senate Bill 10 in the Senate Housing Committee two weeks ago – 45 communities and every trade union spoke against it. This had zero effect. The committee voted to send it on.

Hannah-Beth explained it: trade unions opposed it because they don’t have Project Labor Agreements yet,

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“Every time I jog I have 9-1 pressed into my phone, with the next ‘1’ ready to be launched in case I drop.” – Kevin James

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8 – 15 April 2021

where all development contracts are required to hire members of their organizations. Sen. Wiener will fix that. Communities have no influence at the legislature. Unions, the Chamber, the California Realtors, California Public Safety orgs, and developers have influence, so you have to get to the powerful people at the State and make alliances with other legislators. Grassroots community-organizing, even across the state, won’t get it done.

Is the housing problem of the pre-pandemic era still the problem?

Through 2019, companies were moving out of state and not opening offices here because of housing issues.

Then the pandemic hit, and a huge migration ensued, some out of state, 80% within the state. We don’t know if that pattern is here to stay, or if it’s even finished sorting itself out yet.

Fresno now has the highest rent problem in California, not San Francisco.

It’s cheaper to rent an apartment in San Francisco than in Oakland as the tech companies allowed remote work in the pandemic – from anywhere. Condos are now downright affordable in San Francisco, though they’re not here. Sen. Wiener clearly doesn’t have the housing problem he did pre-pandemic. Which begs the question – should we pause, and look at these pandemic-induced

shifts, before ramming this legislation through?

The real estate market is especially hot in Montecito. We get calls from people in Toronto, San Jose, and New York who no longer need to live near their job.

So, when you add in pandemic migration patterns and speculative investors, these bills will only drive land and housing prices higher in the short-term, destroy single-family neighborhoods as we know them, and plunk high-density next door to you. However, they won’t provide for the real need, by those experiencing homelessness in particular: affordable housing. If you doubt that there’s a major homelessness crisis going on, attend the next Hands Across Montecito meeting and take a drive along 101 to Goleta, and look at the exit ramps and railroad tracks. There are good solutions proposed by the legislature that we firmly support that address this need.

Get involved, before it’s too late.

We are learning just now how bad the ADU law can be when one is built next door, a painful lesson two years after the bill passed. The time to alter disastrous laws is before they pass, which is right now.

Join us at montecitoassociation. org/advocacy, and let’s fight this together!

•MJ

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8 – 15 April 2021

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

11

country town of Santa Rosa and two years ago he completed construction on a $30 million compound in Mexico’s Los Cabos.

Monte ito Miscellany

Will Ginger Snap?

by Richard Mineards

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 14 years ago.

Cower to Bower?

Eden Allures Another Billionaire

T

he latest billionaire to make a big splash in Montecito is tech tycoon Craig Ramsey, who has paid $31.3 million, a just a tad short of the full $32 million asking price, for a Channel Drive estate in our Eden by the Beach.

The 74-year-old Vlocity co-founder is joining the red-hot real estate market after his business partners Young Sohn and Mark Armenante bought their own impressive homes in the ‘hood.

Ramsey paid the entire purchase price for the 8,751-square-foot, five-bedroom, nine-bathroom home on 1.13 acres in cash, according to records, and deeded the property over to his new wife, Kelly Dove, the very same day.

The estate was formerly owned

by British polo patron Lyndon Lea, whose Zacara team won the Pacific Coast Open at the Santa Barbara Polo Club in 2007 and is just a tiara’s toss from the home of Beanie Baby billionaire Ty Warner.

The Bay Area resident can easily afford a shopping spree of this nature given Vlocity was sold to Salesforce last year for a hefty $1.3 billion in cash.

Ramsey is also widely known for his love of trophy real estate, particularly oceanfront property.

Arguably the crown jewel in his property crown is a seaside estate on the Hawaiian island of Maui, which was up for sale for $49 million two years ago – a record price on the island at the time.

He also owns a sprawling mansion retreat in the Northern California

Florida congressman Matt Gaetz is engaged to a former UCSB student, Ginger Luckey

A former UCSB student, 26-yearold Ginger Luckey, is at the center of a sex scandal involving Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.

The politician is engaged to Luckey, who became a Harvard Business School student and now lives on the Left Coast, according to the New York Post.

Gaetz, 38, who has strenuously denied a federal criminal probe into illegal sexual activities, met Luckey in March 2020, at a fundraiser at Mara-Lago, former President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, club.

Lucky’s brother is Palmer Luckey, who founded the virtual reality company Oculus VR before selling it to Facebook for around $2 billion in 2014.

She is an analyst with Goletabased Apeel, a company that works to reduce food waste. She graduated from UCSB in 2016 with a degree in economics and accounting.

A Grande Entrance

Montecito singer Ariana Grande is making her debut as a coach on NBC’s hit series The Voice.

Grande, 27, who bought her $6.75 million Tudor-style property in our rarefied enclave from TV talk show Ariana Grande joins The Voice (photo: Cosmopolitan UK)

12 MONTECITO JOURNAL

host Ellen DeGeneres last June, is replacing singer-actor Nick Jonas, 29, on the popular singing competition show, she announced on Instagram.

She will coach alongside regulars Blake Shelton, John Legend, and Kelly Clarkson.

Jonas, who is a coach on the current season, isn’t cutting all ties. He will now be appearing on a rotating basis.

Meghan Markle had better batten down the hatches!

Prince Harry’s former actress wife’s life is to be laid bare by British investigative journalist Tom Bower, 74, who has signed a six-figure deal to tell the Duchess of Sussex’s story.

He will embark on 12 months of meticulous research, speaking to friends and former associates of the Montecito-based tony twosome.

Bower is renowned for his unsparing, unauthorized biographies of towering figures, including Prince Charles, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the late controversial publishing tycoon, Robert Maxwell.

U.S. publishing giant Simon & Schuster has reportedly bought the rights to the much-anticipated tome after a bidding war.

Meanwhile, a third Lifetime Harry and Meghan movie, Escaping the Palace, has been given the green light following 2018’s Harry and Meghan, and Harry and Meghan: Becoming Royal in 2019.

Casting for the film is underway with production scheduled to start this spring for a release later this year.

A Wish Comes True

Montecito Bank & Trust on Coast Village Road was the focal point when a parade including firefighters, law enforcement, and representatives of the community honored a Make-AWish Tri-Counties recipient, Carmelo Bisquera, 16, a student at Santa Barbara’s Olive Grove Charter School.

Carmelo, whose hobbies are video games and reading, was born with an endocrine disorder in which the pituitary gland fails to produce enough hormones.

His treatments involve frequent hormone shots and other medications.

This condition is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and has caused him to be classified as legally blind.

But, like many teens, he often spends his time playing video games to take his mind off his condition and connect with others of his age group.

He owns an outdated PlayStation and aspires to someday be a video game programmer.

But after the parade, the young-

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Miscellany Page 184 8 – 15 April 2021

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13

Montecito Moms

by Dalina Michaels Allie MacPhail: Montecito Mama and Influencer

A

llie MacPhail is a jack-of-alltrades sort of person. A mom of four kids, three dogs, chickens, cats, and a husband. This is not to mention that she is a talented photographer, an influencer, and now a store owner of an adorable new children’s store – not in Montecito, but in Martha’s Vineyard.

So how does she do it all? With a lot of driving across the country, a lot of laughs, and a lot of energy.

Allie MacPhail and her family moved to Montecito eight years ago from New York.

They first found El Montecito Early School and felt so welcomed and put all their kids through the preschool.

“We have four kids. Lila is 12, and she loves to sing and play the piano.

Georgia is 10 and feels most at home on a stage! She has been a part of 12 productions through both the Adderley School and Santa Barbara School of Performing Arts and loves every minute of it! Hadley is nine and is my little artist. She loves the Santa Barbara Museum of Art classes that are offered as an after-school program.

And our youngest son, Graham, is six and is finishing up kindergarten!”

MacPhail said.

Her husband, Bryan, started Locally Grown Kids, a Santa Barbara company that provides healthy hot lunch

Montecito Mom Allie MacPhail with her computer and the way she connects and communicates with her 30K followers

options for participating area schools (think organic chicken tenders and soft tacos versus a soggy PB&J). The family normally spends their summers on the East Coast, where they own and operate seasonal restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard, and now a new toy store. (For anyone traveling to the East Coast this summer: the shop is on Dock Street in Edgartown, Massachusetts.)

MacPhail works as a health and wellness influencer on Instagram. She loves the freedom and MacPhail daughters setting up the family’s new store across the country on Martha’s Vineyard

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flexibility to run her business primarily from her phone on a platform that reaches over one billion people around the world. But you don’t just get 30,000 followers overnight, so how did it all come together?

“Two of the things that people stress most about in life are health and money. This is literally a solution to both.”

– Allie MacPhail MacPhail explains: “It started when we moved into a new home in the Cold Spring School district in 2018. I was posting renovation photos and started a new account to document the process for friends and family.”

By using specific hashtags, some of her photos (remember, she’s a professional photographer!), caught the eye of large accounts such as Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, and Serena and Lily, and other major companies caught on. They shared her photos, and her account started to grow. It was then that Allie realized she could monetize her content with affiliate links.

“I did that with home decor pho-

“You’ve got to go after your dreams. If you don’t make an effort, nothing’s ever going to change.” – Kevin James

tos for about a year, and then started sharing other things from my mom life; things like fashion, and health and wellness,” MacPhail said. “It’s simply connecting my followers to products or items that I love, use and recommend.

It just ballooned from there. I am still trying to process how powerful this tool of network marketing truly is in 2020. The current pandemic has shed light on the importance of having a secure and flexible work from home opportunity as well as an additional source of income for families.”

One of MacPhail’s greatest joys has been helping other moms reach their health and financial goals: “Two of the things that people stress most about in life are health and money.

This is literally a solution to both. The products offer amazing health benefits and sharing them offers an income opportunity like no other. Helping other moms earn a full-time income from home has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this venture.”

Her Instagram handle is @mysty lebythesea and the account is full of everything from home decor and fashion to lifestyle and health: “I post about my favorite products daily, either on my feed or my Instagram stories, and people can message me for additional information on anything that interests them. Check it out!”

•MJ 8 – 15 April 2021

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

15

On Entertainment

Montecito filmmaker Niki Byrne

by Steven Libowitz

Montecito at the Movies: Byrne Busts Through at SBIFF

Alex Sorian Brown, left, and Charlotte Louis Spencer in Evan Wood

T

he list of endeavors Montecito filmmaker Niki Byrne took on before she was out of her mid20s would put most of us older adults to shame with the breadth and variety of her adventures: soccer player, race car driver, advertising copywriter, helicopter pilot, vegetable chopper for a Top Chef winner, photographer, painter (her portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg was part of the recent show at Sullivan Goss), employee of Tiffany & Co., and co-founder of an anti-bias employment initiative called BlindHire, plus a bunch of other odd

jobs too numerous to mention.

And all that was before she started focusing on filmmaking.

“My mother would call it extremely unfocused, which is fair,” Byrne said with a smile in a Zoom call earlier this week. “I’m not exactly an adrenaline junkie, but my brain and my personality like environments that are high stress and team-oriented.

“I went looking for that in a lot of different places that used different skills. But they didn’t tick all the boxes where I could be really involved in artistic and business strategy, visual,

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16 MONTECITO JOURNAL

audio – basically art. Probably if I’d been more honest with myself or more self-aware, I would have known that I was going to go into movies eventually.”

That’s because Byrne – who was born in Minneapolis and was just two weeks old when her family moved to Montecito – was obsessed with movies as a kid, when she would view VHS tapes of Jurassic Park, Apollo 13, and Titanic over and over again, in a sort of old-school binge-watching, just fascinated by everything from the story to the sets.

“I was seeing them in a way that I now know is how budding enthusiasts do,” she said. “But at the time I didn’t feel that film was serious. My parents are both high achieving professional people (John Byrne is a former Porsche executive while Penny Kapousouz is a copywriter who created a 20-page Macintosh introductory print spectacular back in 1984).

“Film seemed like a dilettante activity, something fancy people did. It took me a while to come around to the fact that people in the film business are the most switched-on, most passionate, most intense people I’ve ever met. They do this really insane high wire act every time they set out to make a film, whether it’s a pitch meeting or in the editing room, and everything in between. Everything you do is so knife edge and to me, that’s what makes it really fun, even though you are more likely to fail than succeed.”

Byrne got serious about screenwriting when she returned home to Montecito to spend time with her family, not long before the family’s main house became one of the three dwellings that firefighters weren’t able to save during the massive stand against the Thomas Fire on December 16, 2017. One of the few things that was not destroyed was her cherished copy of Titanic, which the owner of Video Schmideo gave her when she was eight years old and incessantly begged her parents to rent it again.

“I don’t know if he knows how much it meant to me,” she said, pointing to where the old VHS resides in the corner of her bedroom.

After directing a few shorts, penning several screenplays, and enduring a few false starts, Byrne has pushed the success button with her feature film directorial debut.

Evan Wood, which made its world premiere at SBIFF’s drive-in the-

“Nobody actually ever does this — escaping through a window.” – Kevin James

aters over the weekend and remains available online through 10 pm on Saturday, April 10, came her way through a photographer friend who asked her to peruse the screenplay about a young writer in search of inspiration who finds herself involved in helping her drug-addicted brother when she returns home after her grandmother passes.

Byrne became part of the team that performed what she called “an expedient rewrite” before they asked her to direct.

“We thought carefully about what we could add to the genre because there are a lot of beautiful films on the subject,” she said. “But what hadn’t been done before was looking at it from the point of view of a family member of the addict who ultimately decides not to sacrifice everything to try and fix him.

“But there’s no happy ending for families, because even if someone recovers, it’s not a permanent state of being. Addiction is an ongoing struggle.”

To make sure the story rang true, Byrne and the other filmmakers checked it out with friends and colleagues who are in a similar situation, asking if the script felt accurate and fair. Hearing that people agreed that Evan Wood offered a new angle, Byrne and company decided to “press on even though it felt a little bit risky because there are people who might think that our lead character failed her brother in some way. And that’s OK, too. But I think others will get a lot out of it.”

Byrne pronounced herself satisfied with her first feature effort, especially considering the limited budget and short “run-and-gun” shooting schedule.

“It felt really stressful and overwhelming at the time, but it was also really fun,” she said. “The eight days of shooting felt like one long day because I didn’t really sleep the whole time. But it’s the best thing there is, and I feel so lucky.

“When you have the opportunity to direct your first feature, regardless of budget, regardless of the subject, it’s the greatest thing that can ever happen. So, there are things that fail in this film. It has its strengths and weaknesses. But it didn’t lack passion.”

All of which makes it seem like Byrne has finally found her niche, one that lets her continue to indulge her apparently insatiable curiosity, especially through screenwriting.

“It’s incredible. You get to deep dive into a subject, explore an avenue to learn about something. I don’t think you can write well until you’ve spent time with the people who do that thing. And it’s great because everyone thinks films are inherently neat. So,

On Entertainment Page 284 284 8 – 15 April 2021

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17

Miscellany (Continued from page 12) David Edelman, “Make-A-Wish” Director of Development; with the Bisquera Family: Elena, D’mitri surrounding Make-A-Wish for Carmelo (photo by Priscilla)

ster was presented with a whole host of up-to-date electronic equipment enabling him to access the latest games and programs.

“It’s exactly like Christmas all over again!” he gushed.

Just How She Drew It Up Drew Barrymore launching eponymous magazine (photo: www.

GlynLowe.com)

Actress and TV talk show host Drew Barrymore, who used to live in our rarefied enclave just a tiara’s toss from mega TV producer Dick Wolf, is going to give former TV titan Oprah Winfrey some competition.

In June, Barrymore, 46, is launching an eponymous glossy.

“I’ve dreamed of this day since I was a little girl, lining my walls with tears from my favorite magazines to make wallpaper,” she exulted on Instagram.

The pilot issue of Drew will be published in partnership the Bauer Media Group, a colossus with 600 magazines in 17 countries and based out of Hamburg, Germany. Bauer already has titles such as In Touch Weekly and Life & Style Weekly in the United States.

“I can’t wait for you to see and enjoy what we’ve created over the years. From beauty to food to human interest and travel (even a crossword puzzle yay!!!), every glossy page will include the people, places, and things I love most... truly the best of me to you.”

Take That, COVID

Cheering the parade participants are MBT’S Penny Spackman, Sylvia Kuaea, Lora Taylo (photo by Priscilla)

Since its founding in 1948, the Santa Barbara Choral Society has never missed a performance. Despite wildfires and mudslides, the show always

Leading the Parade for Carmello’s Wish are CHP Officer Shannan Sams; Amie Parrish, “MAW” Board Member;Wells Fargo Private Bank; AMR’S Jack Snyder and April Lim, EMT; Lora Taylor, MBT; Tia Taylor, EMT; and the Montecito Fire Department’s Captain Jeff Villarreal; with Engineer Nick Eubank and Garet Blake, Paramedic (photo by Priscilla)

18 MONTECITO JOURNAL

SB Choral Society director JoAnne Wasserman says the show must go on

“Teachers have a chance to mold someone, inspire them. I hope all teachers realize that.” – Kevin James

goes on.

And even during the worldwide pandemic, veteran director JoAnne Wasserman, who has conducted the talented singers for 28 years, was determined to carry on the tradition with a virtual concert at the venerable Lobero on the organization’s YouTube channel.

The entertaining weekend concert featured the Amen chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” and the American folk song, “How Can I Keep From Singing?”

Certainly, an evening of high note to sing about.

Ringing in His 94th With CPK

Montecito actor William Daniel, who starred in NBC’s St. Elsewhere and ABC’s Boy Meets World, says the secret of longevity as he celebrates his 94th birthday is “love and family.”

When asked about marking another year of life, the two-time Emmy winner, who I used to see regularly getting his Java jolt at Pierre Lafond, tells People: “It’s better than the alternative!”

In addition to enjoying an active and healthy lifestyle, Daniel finds joy in spending time with his wife of nearly 70 years, Bonnie Bartlett, 91, children and grandchildren.

For his birthday he plans to celebrate with an evening at the California Pizza Kitchen near his Los Angeles home, as well as filming Cameos, which cost $150 a shoutout, with his son, Michael, 57.

Girl Power!

Luz Reyes-Martin, executive director of public affairs and communications at Santa Barbara City College, and Barbara Ben-Horin, former CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, are being honored by the local chapter of the Association for Women in Communications at the 13th annual awards presented by Women Connect4Good via Zoom later this month.

Independent columnist Starshine Roshell, a former award recipient, will emcee the event.

“So many people tell me they look forward to this annual luncheon,” says President Lisa Osborn. “It’s a fun chance to catch up with friends and celebrate the accomplishments of our honorees... These are inspiring 8 – 15 April 2021

Barbara Ben-Horin

women, and we could all use a little inspiration right now.”

Losing It Fast, Intuitively

Oscar-winning Montecito actress Gwyneth Paltrow is the bon vivant of wellness.

She has taken to Instagram to tour her newest health obsession, intuitive fasting, which she proclaims is “designed to optimize our well-being.”

The 48-year-old entrepreneur also revealed she’s on Week 1 of the fourweek program and feeling amazing on “The Goop” podcast. ‘”The flexible four-week plan combines intuitive eating with intermittent fasting and Ketorian foods,” she explains.

The Ketoria diet is a plant-forward meal plan that puts the body into a state of ketosis to burn fat and not sugar.

Smart Like a Fox

Ensemble Theatre Company isn’t letting the pandemic interfere with its

winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, will be joined by Santa Barbara Symphony cellist Jonathan Flaksman at the New Vic. The show will have minimal stage design, but with creative videography, each of the five performances will be live, not recorded.

John Tufts goes solo in latest Ensemble Theatre Company show

production schedule.

The popular company, helmed by Jonathan Fox, is presenting five livestreamed performances of the critically acclaimed 90-minute, one-act play An Iliad, with each live performance being aired and viewable on computers, smart TVs, iPads, and iPhones.

Translated by Robert Fagles from Homer’s 3,000-year-old epic poem, The Iliad, playwrights Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare deliver a contemporized and compelling narrative with the use of a single actor and musician.

Crafted around the stories of Achilles and Hector, in a language that is by turns poetic and conversational, An Iliad brilliantly refreshes this world classic.

Taking on the herculean role is John Tufts, who returns to ETC after appearing in The Invisible Hand and the one-man show I Am my Own Wife, for which he deservedly won critical acclaim.

Tufts, a regular with the Tony Award-

Matthew Pifer, MD

Let’s Go Public

Vegan milk maker, Oatly, which counts Oprah Winfrey and Jay-Z among its prominent backers, is going public.

The Sweden-based conglomerate has just submitted regulatory plans for an initial stock offering in the U.S., with a valuation of $10 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Oatly, which sells vegan food and drink branded products in more than 20 countries across Europe and Asia, has tie-ups with several cafe chains in America, including Starbucks, as well as selling its products online and in retail stores.

The company raised nearly $200 million in equity investment in July last year from a group led by Blackstone, that includes Oprah, actress Natalie Portman, and former Starbucks head honcho Howard Schultz.

The Hidden Must Be Found

Having just splashed out $14.2 million on her new Montecito

estate, Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry is aggressively selling her 1950s property in the Beverly Hills Post Office community of Hidden Valley for $7.7 million, a $300,000 price reduction.

The 4,410-square-foot home on nearly an acre has four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The property was originally purchased for the former Dos Pueblos High student as an investment or a guest house to augment her larger estate in Beverly Crest’s Coldwater Canyon neighborhood, which she bought in 2017 for $18 million.

Thank You.

To Cottage Hospital in Goleta to join 2,000 others getting their second Pfizer jabs.

The nurse and two assistants administering my vaccine peppered me with questions on my Riven Rock neighbors Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Such are the joys of notoriety from writing my Journal column for 13 years, as well as my myriad TV appearances of late.

Sightings will return in due course now that Governor Gavin Newsom has lifted the total lockdown.

Pip! Pip! Be safe, wear a mask, and get vaccinated.

•MJ

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Dear Montecito

Dawson Fuss will release “Hey You” on April 9

by Stella Haffner

Here’s What the Fuss is All About

F

or many, quarantine has meant an opportunity to indulge their creative side. I’ve been treated to pieces of art and writing from friends and family, but it’s always nice to be reminded of the ways in which our community has grown artistically.

Although, while I must admit that most of us are just dabbling in this or that creative hobby, today we’re hearing from someone who is very much a rising artist. From his time on the stage in Teen Star, his coronavirus parody of “Sweet Caroline,” to his latest song being released this month, Dawson Fuss is a true creative.

Dear Montecito,

My name is Dawson Fuss, and I’m a junior at Cate School in Carpinteria.

My whole life, I’ve been passionate about music, which I can trace back to my exposure to music and the arts at Montecito Union School.

I was surrounded by teachers and faculty committed to my educational and creative development. This incredibly special place allowed me

to immerse myself in a wide range of artistic endeavors. Whether it was in the classroom, art studio, school sings, violin lessons, after-school programs, or even during recess, creativity was organically intertwined throughout my education.

The school’s focus on inspiring creativity combined with the school motto of treating others with “kindness, respect, and integrity” created a safe environment to explore my many creative phases from performing magic, making balloon animals, folding complex origami models, acting, and of course, the one that stuck, singing.

Throughout my time at MUS and my middle school years at Marymount, I was often found memorizing lines and practicing songs as I prepared for the latest Adderley School or Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Theater productions. From the time I had my theatrical debut as Shrek in Shrek the Musical at the age of five until my role as Marius in Les Mis, Janet Adderley always provided creative kids like me the opportunity to shine.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have

Gardens Are for Living

Gardens Are for Living

20 MONTECITO JOURNAL Montecito Journal newspaper.indd 8

6/8/17 2:12 PM

lived my entire life in Montecito, and I know I will always be draped in the fabric woven by our creative and compassionate community. My love for music has been fostered throughout my childhood here and my experiences have been foundational to who I am becoming as a young adult.

Now a student at Cate School, I am once again supported by a community that values creativity and the arts. I enjoy singing in three musical groups including “Last Call,” the school’s a cappella group, and performing in the school’s theater productions. With the grand opening of the school’s new state-of-the-art recording studio, I am looking forward to spending all my extra time learning about the production side of the music business so that I can learn to put the lyrics and melodies swirling in my head into a tangible, completely self-completed song. I am also looking forward to collaborating more with many of the incredibly talented musicians on campus.

I know that I have not reached this point without the support of so many talented people who also call Santa Barbara home. Agatha Carubia, my vocal coach who has cared enough to help me find my true voice. Erland Wanberg, a talented singer-songwriter, showed me how to take my ideas and turn them into lyrics. Brian Mann, pianist extraordinaire, was patient with me as we worked through melodies for my earliest songs. Joe Lambert and Laura Lewis, the dynamic duo behind Teen Star Santa Barbara, who cheered me on as a finalist in 2019 and 2020.

Throughout the past year, as so many of my peers struggled and found themselves isolated and adrift, I have been fortunate to find joy in discovering my voice through songwriting. The unwinding of my preCOVID routine has given me the luxury of time and solitude and let me begin to learn who I am as a person

“Every time you make a decision, you mess with someone’s life.” – Kevin James

and as an artist. One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been allowing myself to be vulnerable and open and to find words that express what I don’t think I would have been able to otherwise.

It has been cathartic to hold in less and share more.

Coming out of the darkest days of COVID, I am excited to have created my debut seven-song collection titled “Edge of Adolescence” about my journey from childhood to the cusp of adulthood and the songs explore the challenges, successes, wants, and introspective discovery of who I am becoming.

“Hey You” is the first single and it will be released on April 9. It is about love and heartbreak and comes from my desire to find a deeper connection with someone as I grow older. It’s also an exploration of first love and how it is a powerful, terrifying, devastating, and most often an inevitable part of our universal journey that we have to endure to learn how to become an emotionally available adult. Sharing my first song, after working on it for so long, is both rewarding and incredibly terrifying. But again, a lesson I learned at MUS comes to mind — all art is subjective, some will like it and others won’t, what is important is that the artist always works hard and believes in what they do.

I do, however, hope you’ll give “Hey You” a listen and like it and give me a follow on Spotify, iTunes, and other streaming services. The music video will be available on my YouTube channel @Dawson Fuss on April 29. To stay up to date about my other music coming out over the next few months, please follow me on Instagram @daw sonfuss.

Although I know I’ll be leaving Montecito in the near future, no matter where I end up, I will always think of this place as my home.

With love, Dawson •MJ 8 – 15 April 2021

In Passing Brad Bartholomay

(November 29, 1949 – December 23, 2020)

A

true Montecito gentleman and the best dad a girl could ask for, Brad Bartholomay went on to greener pastures in late 2020, just after his 71st birthday.

My dad grew up at the top of Park Lane, the oldest of three boys. As an athletic kid he enjoyed hunting and surfing at the Ranch with the Hollister boys and roaming Montecito with his cousins and younger brothers, Randy and John. As a young adult he went on numerous hunting and fishing trips with brother, Randy, and remained a devoted son to parents Phil and Audrey.

After graduating from New Mexico Military Institute and then Cal Poly, with a degree in Landscape Architecture, Brad returned to Montecito to start his landscape and masonry business. Architecture runs in our family, as his father was a well-known architect who designed and built many Montecito homes and swimming pools. I followed in my dad’s footsteps, graduating from his alma mater and now practice architecture here in Santa Barbara.

Brad was a talented landscape architect and contractor, specializing in hardscapes. You can see some of his custom sandstone entry columns driving along Sycamore Canyon Road and his brick restoration work at Lotusland.

But some of his most beautiful works are the terraced gardens, stone waterfalls and natural poolscapes hidden behind the walls of Montecito’s historic estates. His talented mason and friend of many years, Isidro Olvera,

SBMM Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

by Schuyler Leigh Johnson

now runs his own masonry company, continuing the authentic stonework and fine craftsmanship that set their work apart.

My dad was a charismatic, talented, cowboy-at-heart who liked to joke with old friends and brag about me whenever he had the chance. He was an impeccable dresser with an infectious smile and sparking blue eyes.

He loved to ride his horse, Tex, in the Santa Ynez mountains with longtime girlfriend, Debbie Nowlin, and spent a lot of time with his youngest brother, John, and his wife, Julie. Other friends included fellow RV Amigos Camp members John Bokum, Stan Los, Captain Don Headden and others, as well as lifelong friends he met while at Crane and Laguna Blanca, such as Erik Black and Stewart Hanssen.

While most remember a thoughtful, engaging, genuine friend, I remember the most loving and patient dad, who never failed to make time for me. I always felt his gentle guidance and support, whether he was teaching me to swim in the Coral Casino pool or helping me work out important life decisions.

Gone too soon, Brad will always remain in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by me, his daughter Schuyler; my husband, Kent, and our baby boy, Zeaden, who he got to meet before he passed, as well as many admirers, friends, and fans.

So, from those who loved this handsome, kind, fun, Ranchero Vistadore, we say happy trails. I love you, dad. •MJ

Grand Re-Opening with Four New Exhibits Thursday - Sunday • 10am - 5pm

Arthur Beaumont: Art of the Sea An exhibit of 53 paintings chronicling the accomplishments of the US Navy from the USS Constitution to atomic bomb tests and expeditions to the North and South Poles. On display until May 30, 2021.

SCARF (Santa Cruz Acoustic Range Facility) The onshore facility was located on the south side of Santa Cruz Island on land leased from the Santa Cruz Island Company. SCARF supported hundreds of U.S. Navy development and test programs, many of them classified.

On This Spot Through History by Erin Graffy de Garcia

For centuries, the coastline of Santa Barbara featured a prominent landmark — a natural structure called “Castle Rock.”

Follow the 100 years that led from Castle Rock to the Santa Barbara Harbor and Maritime Museum.

Love Letters to the Sea

Now Accepting Consignments! www.ConsignmentsbyMMD.com Instagram: @louisofmontecito

4441 Hollister Ave. SB 93110 (805) 770-7715 8 – 15 April 2021

This new innovative letterwriting project, developed

by Art Educator/ Founder, Sondra Weiss, enables children working alone or with family members or friends to create artistic and persuasive letters and envelopes in support of ocean protection.

113 Harbor Way, Ste 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 • sbmm.org • 805 962-8404

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

21

Editorial (Continued from page 5)

Letters (Continued from page 8)

the piping issue, but most of all, the cost of production of such water borne by ratepayers in a particular district cannot be given away to another district. It’s against the law.

have been put up which say, “No Parking Private Property” and “No Parking Unauthorized Vehicles Will be Towed Away.”

Is the shoulder on Mountain Drive private property? The assessor’s map used for tax purposes indicates that in the vicinity of the trailhead the county right-of-way for the road is 60 feet. The paved road itself is 26 feet wide. It’s common for residents of rural areas to infringe on the public right of way, whether it’s to put up signs, build fences or plant hedges. Signs could be put up specifying the right of way near this trailhead, including on Riven Rock Road, which the assessor’s map says is 50 feet. Then people won’t have to worry about trespassing. More of a shoulder could be created to handle the cars.

What about the roads narrower than Riven Rock in Montecito? An even-handed approach needs to be taken for all Montecito roads.

Yes, there are too many cars parked near this trailhead. Solutions are needed to lower the amount of traffic.

Signs can be placed encouraging hikers to carpool or take bicycles.

People can easily get to the trailhead with an electric bicycle. Why not encourage hikers to make a difference for the environment? Local residents can be encouraged to get out of their cars.

Bryan Rosen Montecito

Dysfunctional Districts

When voters passed the $7 billion (Prop 1) Water Bond of 2014, water and wastewater districts immediately joined forces to line up to get a piece of the $750 million in that bond for recycling projects. Wastewater districts produce the recycled water, but cannot sell it, so the districts must work together, share costs, and so forth. Through Prop 1, South Coast water/wastewater districts were availing themselves of $150,000 planning grants at 50% discount (shared, the cost to each was $37,500), and those planning grants got them in line for actual construction grants.

Goleta Water and Goleta Sanitary districts joined hands and did it successfully; and the Carpinteria Valley Water District and Carpinteria Sanitary districts did it successfully (and are now building their recycled water plant to initiate IPR injection into the Carpinteria groundwater basin).

When Montecito Sanitary District and Montecito Water District were specifically asked to join hands to apply for such a planning grant, Montecito Sanitary said “yes,” and Montecito Water said “no.”

“Over my dead body,” a MWD director said.

The rest of us went forward. Through the Santa Barbara County Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program, district managers and stakeholders met for a year to produce the South Coast Recycled Water Development Plan, which estimated costs of construction and pipe configurations to potential customers. Montecito Sanitary District attended those meetings, and since Montecito Water District did not, the rest of us did our best to guesstimate for them to produce pipeline maps, potential customers, and estimated costs. (This report is available on Heal the Ocean’s website.)

Hazard is right in saying Hillary Hauser blames the action of past water board members as the primary cause of the dysfunction. I still do. It was a giant opportunity missed. I was there, Montecito Sanitary District was there, I saw it with my own eyes and the truth is the truth.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Consolidation? Form a CSD? Why? To add more unnecessary cost to handling wastewater and water? These are two entirely different functions. We already know the funds cannot be commingled. To form a CSD so that the districts can take on the problems of sidewalks and streetlights, and other such CSD matters?

There has been the idea floated for getting rid of the MSD treatment plant and running it all to the city, after all the connecting pipe is already there.

Heal the Ocean looked at that one, has talked to the City about it, and ended up with what we consider the insurmountable question as to how all the pipes from Montecito residences and businesses are going to get to the city?

A collection system is still needed, which is what already exists on the MSD property.

As for reconstructing the pipeline from Montecito to El Estero, this cost would come at significant expense at a time MWD working on paying the cost of connecting to the city’s desal plant. And then, how do you get the recycled water back to Montecito? Again, the pipeline question.

Where we go from here is to conserve and wait for potable reuse to come to pass (the State has been working on this forever; it’s still not permissible). Those treatment plants (like Orange County) that are closest to potable reuse employ tremendous machinery to clean it up as much as possible, then use surface water for final mixing.

In the meantime, we can let the districts do the jobs ratepayers pay them to do and stop the fantasy “security team” talk of ideas that are non-permissible and wildly expensive.

Hillary Hauser is the executive director of Heal the Ocean.

•MJ

Holding Out for a Hero

Oh my! Cold Spring School District definitely sounds like a bit of a mess.

The Montecito Journal’s coverage of their shady finances is long overdue.

Seems the District has finally met its match with mom Amanda Rowan – part clinical social worker, part CEO, and with a dog named Mr. Peanut Butter?!? I loved how the district’s lawyer, Gregory Rolen, tried to paint her net worth being 10x the school’s being a bad thing – more like badass.

I read Rowan’s company bio – a neuroscience major at Dartmouth, a graduate degree from UCLA, plus a former foster parent. Rowan’s a self-made-social-justice-supermom.

Probably the last person’s child you

should decide to suspend for the first time in 10 years for a silly prank on Zoom during COVID. It’s clear to me that the district is hiding something big. They wouldn’t be this aggressive if they weren’t.

Campus is closed so I’m not sure why any teachers feel threatened. There’s no way someone with Amanda’s professional background would be risking her livelihood threatening physical violence when she clearly has the resources to tackle them in court.

The school’s Los Angeles-based lawyer Gregory Rolen is the only one benefiting from the district’s $100,000 legal fees. Wake up Cold Spring taxpayers, Rolen has a personal interest in stoking the flames and provoking more lawsuits. That $100,000 was made out to him on your dime.

Finally, “Doctor” Alzina, you said in the article you “just want this to stop”? It’s not rocket science and seems easy enough – give Ms. Rowan the financial statements and bond documents every citizen is legally entitled to and pull the bogus suspension letter from her daughter’s file. Anything short of that and you clearly don’t have the “kiddos’” interest at heart and is just plain stupid.

L. Morris Montecito P.S. It’s ultimately the school board who answers for these outrageous fees. How have they allowed $100,000 to be wasted on a standard public document request and the defense of a suspension for a child’s harmless albeit hilarious prank during an exceptionally difficult time for children and families?

Deeper Investigation Needed

I have just read your article about the restraining order that the Cold Spring School District filed against a parent at the school, citing e-mails and phone calls that “frightened the staff and teachers.” The story goes on to acknowledge that the temporary restraining order was denied, though it buries that point.

Remarkably, the article names the parent, and discusses her daughter’s suspension, despite the fact that the student is in elementary school. As a former teacher and parent, I find it hard to imagine seeking a restrain-

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ing order banning a parent from visiting school grounds or communicating with teachers or the principal. To pursue such a draconian order, one would expect serious misconduct. None was cited and the judge concluded the remedy was unwarranted.

It is every parent’s right to go on campus and communicate with the school, unless she has threatened violence. The school, however, does not have a right to disclose a student’s identity or disciplinary matters regarding that student to a newspaper. This seems unwise and probably illegal to bring to the press. I would have expected this paper to use better editorial judgment.

Nonetheless, your story did cause me to look into news stories about this district and the conduct of its officials. It seems to be throwing this story out to distract from a much larger issue regarding the use of school funds beginning several years ago, and its efforts to prevent the public from viewing its financial records.

When I worked for a public school, I was responsible for ensuring that federal funds were properly used to pay for a critical reading program. I kept every receipt, categorized copied, and it was overseen by the government and the school. I was to have this information at my fingertips in case anyone in the school or from the state administration asked to see it. Having records in order and available at all times was what made the program accountable and transparent.

I would be asking questions myself if a school spent $100,000 on legal fees and still hadn’t provided access to the financial records. There is a larger story here, and if I wrote for the newspaper, I would be investigating it.

Kim Carr-Howard

President Biden Too Abrupt

In a previous letter, I mentioned that while I didn’t vote for Joe Biden, he would be my President and I wanted him to do well. I now have some serious reservations, here are some reasons: • The abrupt decision to halt construction of the Keystone Pipeline: Granted, this project has been controversial from its inception. However,

reality is that at present we need fossil fuels to heat our homes, run our vehicles, power industry and manufacturing, provide electricity, and to create the modern hand-held devices we love so much. We are now energy independent. We need to stay that way and not provide opportunities for not-so-friendly countries to become needed energy suppliers. The solar panels that John Kerry says laid-off Keystone workers will be trained to produce require fossil fuels to produce. Biden’s Executive Order has produced heavy unemployment in the U.S. and Canada. Bottom line: The phasing out of fossil fuels is a longterm project and should be done sensibly and carefully.

• The border crisis: This is definitely a result of Biden’s Executive Order abruptness. He is the sole cause of the present mess that exists. Granted, the overall immigration situation should have been handled by Congress many years ago, but Biden took a bad situation and turned it into a massive human crisis which he is now spreading across the U.S. at a time of COVID recovery.

• Communicating directly with the American people: Biden does little of this. When he does, he often appears to be reading a prepared speech from a teleprompter.

These are three of many reservations I have about Joe Biden. He seems hellbent on undoing things associated with Donald Trump and failing to successfully address much needed concerns and reforms. That’s my opinion. This is the America I love. You have every right to think otherwise.

Sanderson M. Smith, Ed.D.

Cannabis Odor Control

An open letter to Das Williams and the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors,

I’ve lived in Carpinteria for 45 years and it’s been a wonderful, wholesome community. That feeling has changed in the last three years.

Last night while driving home on the 101 freeway around 7:15 pm, I noticed a skunky odor near the Padaro Lane off ramp. Then as I drove south a few seconds later the odor became heavy and obnoxious, and it lasted until I exited at Santa Claus. For a while, I had a really hard time breathing. It was extremely unpleasant and unsettling!

Fast forward to tonight, March 30.

My adult grandchildren were at my house and they joked that I had been smoking pot because my garage and house smelled like the outside of a cannabis warehouse. My whole house reeks of the pot smell right now.

It’s really pathetic that this is still going on with no odor control in place or sympathy for the general community that has to put up with this smell.

Where is my quality of life or my neighbor’s quality of life?

If any of you lived in my house, I guarantee something would be quickly adopted to contain this unpleasant odor. You wouldn’t stand for this intrusion as long as I have. You made these ordinances, now please put a policy in place for upcoming permits to make it livable for everyone.

Nanci Robertson •MJ

Factual Fiscal Reality

Our nation is the greatest debtor nation in history, an out-of-control national debt of over $30 trillion. The controlling Democrat, Progressive, and Socialist members of Senate and House of Representatives continue to deficit spend.

The first COVID-19 deficit spending added $4 trillion to our national debt. President Biden has signed a $1.9 trillion claimed coronavirus relief bill

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8 – 15 April 2021

with its deficit-spending ProgressiveSocialist wish list, with 91% not related to the pandemic and it increases our national debt.

The proposed part one of Biden’s $2.25 trillion, so-called “Infrastructure and Good Paying Union Jobs Bill” is 5% Infrastructure and 95% ProgressiveSocialist wish list.

Do note that Social Security and Medicare are C.B.O. projected to become insolvent by 2035 and 2024, respectively.

President Biden has no solution.

The debt and deficit spending have nation ending consequences to our survival as a nation and people. The growing national debt and its interest, defense, social security, Medicare, health care and human services, education, infrastructure projects, federal employee costs, pensions and the costs of the proposed “Green New Deal” and “Medicare for All.” Joe: How is the Debt going to be paid? We and our children, grandchildren and future generations demand an answer. It is time for factual and fiscal reality.

H.T. Bryan Santa Barbara

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• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

23

The Giving List

by Steven Libowitz

Standing Together to End Sexual Assault

STESA provides education in hopes of preventing and eliminating sexual assault

“They’re all violating and they’re all about power and control,” she said.

“People who experience online harassment can be just as traumatized as survivors of in-person and suffer depression and anxiety, especially while we’re all isolated. So we have to set some boundaries around what is acceptable to speak to someone else.”

Create to Prevent

A

STESA staff member Elida Martinez with a volunteer

pril is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), an annual campaign aimed at raising public consciousness to consider sexual assault as a public health, human rights, and social justice issue as well as educating people about how to prevent it.

For the nonprofit Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA) based here in Santa Barbara, though, every month, every day, and every hour is devoted to the same goals: providing confidential counseling and support services to survivors of sexual assault while striving to eliminate all forms of sexual violence in our community.

The organization that was founded back in the 1970s as the Rape Crisis Center and adopted its new name just a little over two years ago still has the core service of being there for rape and sexual assault victims as soon as a call comes into its hotline, with a staff member or volunteer showing up – if only virtually during the pandemic – to offer advice about medical care, legal options, and provide counseling services if desired. The goal is to empower survivors to take back control of their lives and their bodies.

But the new name, chosen to more accurately represent the scope of services offered by the organization, alludes to the broader goal of actually ending sexual assault at its roots, indeed changing the cultural norms that enable sexual assault to proliferate. That’s where education and the goals of this year’s SAAM events come in.

“Sexual assault is an umbrella term and there’s many different examples that fall underneath it,” explained Bianca Orozco, STESA’s community education coordinator. “Any sexual harassment that happens online is an example of sexual assault. Someone commenting in an inappropriate way on a picture that makes that person uncomfortable, anything like that – they’re different examples of sexual assault and can be equally violating and traumatic to (the victim). It might be common online, but it’s still assault if there isn’t consent.

Just because we’re not in-person doesn’t mean that sexual assault has stopped, it does adapt and it does occur in those spaces, too.”

Considering online harassment as a lesser form of sexual assault, perhaps further down on a continuum, isn’t a smart approach, Orozco said.

“It’s like diminishing cat calling as no big deal, telling the woman to just walk a different way or cover up,” she said. “It creates a level of accessibility that not only diminishes the experience of the victim, but eventually leads to excusing or minimizing all forms of sexual assault.”

That take is in line with STESA executive director Elsa Granados’ approach:

24 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Raising the level of online awareness during the pandemic is what STESA’s focus for the 20th anniversary of SAAM is all about. A virtual campaign called Create to Prevent, launching across several social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, invites local youths to become change agents by tapping into their creative expression to express ideas about cyber sexual harassment. This includes any unwanted behaviors over social media, dating apps, email, Zoom calls, and video chat, whether verbal or through a visual action.

Accordingly, youths are being encouraged to create multimedia content – art, poetry, skits, infographics – that STESA will collate and choose winners who will see their creations shared on social media and possibly earn a pair of Beats headphones and other prizes.

“What we’re doing for SAAM this year is asking youth in our community to pick the information that we have been using to educate them, and pass it along by creating something original,” Orozco said. “It could be a painting or a drawing. Maybe poetry, or a TikTok video. Whatever they feel comfortable submitting that focuses on the topic of sexual assault, and counteracting messages they might be seeing on TV or elsewhere that perpetuates it. We want the information to be shared creatively so it reaches people.”

The outreach efforts are extensions of STESA’s regular education programs that address all aspects of sexual harassment and assault for area youths, STESA youth educator Holly Scala said. The topics have grown out of conversations about the meaning of consent or how so-called “rape culture” gets perpetuated.

“They experience it mostly online because that’s where they spend a lot of time, especially this last year,” Scala said. “So we’re bringing it closer to home and cultivating a more nuanced understanding of what sexual assault is. And we also focus on cyber sexual harassment because we know that it’s more common in that it can be anonymous, and maybe it seems benign, but it only opens the floodgates to perpetrating future violence. So by educating them it helps to prevent that slippery slope.”

To that end, STESA’s digital SAAM program for 2021 will focus on a different aspect on cyber abuse, through nonconsensual sending of nude images to sexually coercing people online. And the month will also include education on how people can directly intervene to combat online sexual harassment, Scala said.

“You can become an upstander instead of a passive bystander.”

April’s awareness activities also include STESA’s first Virtual Book Club on April 9 where participants will be reading Beartown by Fredrik Backman, a novel that explores the consequences and small-town reactions after the town’s star junior hockey player rapes a 15-year-old girl that was also recently adapted into an HBO series. Other activities include Yelp SB County hosting a free comedy show on April 22 with voluntary Venmo tips going to STESA, and a Denim Day that takes place both over social media and in-person at STESA’s socially-distanced self-defense class on April 28.

The April activities are just a small piece of STESA’s stated goal of making Santa Barbara a community free of all forms of sexual violence.

“To eliminate it, we need to prevent it and to prevent it we need to educate and to educate, we need to start early,” Scala said. “We would rather give young people the information now so they don’t turn into perpetrators and that’s how you prevent sexual assault for generations to come.”

That’s a mission that works for April or anytime at all.

For more information about STESA, visit sbstesa.org.

•MJ

“I’m not a Hollywood guy.” – Kevin James

8 – 15 April 2021

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• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

25

Perspectives

by Rinaldo S. Brutoco

Rinaldo S. Brutoco is the Founding President and CEO of the Santa Barbara-based World Business Academy and a co-founder of JUST Capital. He’s a serial entrepreneur, executive, author, radio host, and futurist who’s published on the role of business in relation to pressing moral, environmental, and social concerns for over 35 years

Passover & Easter: Rebirth, Renewal, Release A multi religious time for transformation

D

eepak Chopra, my dear friend for more than 25 years, and a Fellow of the World Business Academy for all that time, is a very wise man with an eclectic view of religions. While a Hindu himself, like Aldous Huxley in his watershed book The Perennial Wisdom, Deepak has spent his adult life looking at the common denominators amongst the great world religions, rather than looking for where they diverge. He once shared this salient world religions metaphor: If you were standing on the side of a lake and wanted to reach the island in the middle with three friends, you could step into a canoe labeled “Christian” on it, and another canoe labeled “Hindu,” still another labeled “Jewish,” and yet another labeled “Buddhist.” Each of you paddle your canoe out to the island and climb out of your canoe to re-join your companions. Once you do that, you observe that the name of the side of the canoe you came in is irrelevant. What matters is that you got to the island even if you took canoes with different names. Once on the island, he gently observed, it didn’t matter which canoe you came in. What mattered is that you all arrived at the same place.

Let’s call that place Divine Consciousness.

Many very conscious people choose to believe that their historical spiritual tradition doesn’t matter. Many people, if not overtly connected with a religion, see themselves as agnostics. That makes sense as Albert Einstein once observed “No one knows enough to be an atheist.” Even for those avowed atheists reading this column, I can only assure you that however you perceive the “Perennial Wisdom” and apply it to your own moral compass, won’t matter in the end if your canoe reads “atheist” on the side. What matters is that you have a moral compass, shaped, by transformative values capable of endless renewal. In this way, we are all able to perceive the spiritual re-birth that can occur for all of us each springtime.

During spring each year, we celebrate Passover as described in the Old Testament. Whether it be an allegory or a restatement of historical facts makes no difference. The power in the story is that it is the greatest example of an entire population being suddenly freed. After nine plagues failed to move Pharaoh, the tenth one involved an angel of death who “passed over” all the Hebrew first-born. Immediately thereafter, the Hebrew nation was released from Egyptian bondage. It was, and remains, the “great release.” It was a release from bondage, the past, and an entire way of life for generations of ancestors so that the Hebrew people could birth themselves into a new Jewish nation. Clearly, a pristine example of renewal celebrated around the world at Eastertime.

The Hindu Vedas, and particularly the Bhagavad Gita paint a picture of titanic spiritual forces fought out by humans, demigods, and gods to re-create a more perfect world out of the destruction (read this as “winter”). It is the springtime triumphant renewal, represented by Krishna’s victory.

Those tales, allegorical in nature, greatly influenced Henry David Thoreau in his solace-seeking journey of the soul at Walden Pond. They also heavily influenced Ralph Waldo Emerson’s nineteenth century Transcendentalists, which gave rise to Unitarianism and other pan-spiritual traditions like Unity Church.

A core belief of theirs was that the “Over-Soul” (their expression of Divine Consciousness) is one and that it unites all beings such that each person is empowered to behold within him or herself a piece of the Over-Soul. They were saying, in effect, the piece of the Over-Soul we share is Divine Consciousness, it is the island we can all arrive at regardless of which canoe we came in.

Historically brought up as a Christian, I now see myself as a ChristianBuddhist-Jewish-Hindu-Taoist-Pantheist still inspired by the renewal message of Easter featuring stories of Christ’s re-birth from the tomb. Whether factual or allegorical matters not. What matters is that these tales lead one to annually embrace the notion of re-birth, renewal, and transformation. Easter allows us to view the darkness of our prior entombment as behind us, as if we are exiting a mini Kali Yuga, as we transform ourselves into beings of new and unlimited potential.

This Easter, leaving the darkness behind is a metaphor for what many in our nation are attempting to accomplish since January 6th – the capstone of the tumultuous and challenging Trump Years. Emerging from the “winter” of those

26 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Focusing on the Future

T

“Stay-at-home mom” and other inclusive titles to be offered on LinkedIn ime spent engaging in unpaid care work is often undervalued in the professional world and a lack of formal recognition for the importance of this labor puts caregivers at a disadvantage when they seek to pursue formal paying positions.

LinkedIn is now finally offering more inclusive titles such as “stay-at-home mom/dad” or “caretaker” for users, so that if they had to take time away from work, they can accurately represent what would otherwise be an unattractive gap in their resume.

The change was motivated by a Medium post that criticized LinkedIn’s lack of inclusive language or flexible options for women and others who have had to leave the labor force. The pandemic has forced 2.3 million women out of work because of school and daycare closures, as well as the closure of service-oriented establishments that have a majority-female workforce.

Helen Bolen, author of the Medium post entitled: “How a Simple Platform Fix Can Help Millions of Women Trying to Re-enter the Workforce,” wrote: “Strikingly, there are zero pre-populated options on LinkedIn to identify maternity leave, parental leave, adoption leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, elderly care leave, or for long term injury/illness, education/re-training, volunteering, long term travel, a gap year, a sabbatical – or for a pandemic.”

How Cool Food nudges consumers to eat more sustainable meals

In 2019, Genentech, a biotechnology company in South San Francisco, partnered with Cool Food, a World Resources Institute initiative, to see if they could cut the emissions by nudging employees towards purchasing more sustainable meals.

At Genentech’s headquarters, where approximately 10,000 employees arrived at the building every day, Cool Food gently persuaded employees to make food choices that cut the emissions associated with each dish served in Genentech’s canteens by a third in just one year.

The strategies are simple but quite effective. For example, they added more plant-based meals to the list of chef’s specials. Soon enough, more employees were choosing these featured veggie options over meat-heavy meals. Using this behavioral sciences method, Cool Food helps restaurants and foodservice operators reduce their emissions with the goal of cutting emissions by a quarter by 2030.

What this tells us is that even though individuals are responsible for their own choices, concerned foodservice operators have the power to encourage consumers to opt for more sustainable meals. The beauty of this technique is that it focuses on promoting a delicious vegan and vegetarian alternatives without focusing on the negatives of meat consumption.

•M times, punctuated as they were with the deaths of over 550,000 Americans, feels much like leaving the tomb on Easter Sunday.

Yes, Easter is a time of release from bondage, a renewal of our fundamental values to consciously choose to take care of one another through this COVID crisis, and to co-create the new economy we must build on the broken back of 2020. We are acutely aware that rebirth this Easter must be a rebirth of a more just and caring society. It is a rebirth of the time of the great civil rights laws of 1964, 1965, and 1968 that ended Jim Crow, even as Mr. Crow is attempting a comeback in many states.

This Easter marks a time of rebirth into a more equitable distribution of wealth that has grown from mildly disruptive in the 1970s to wildly out of control by 2020.

This Easter, all of the spiritual traditions and all the Perennial Wisdom rolled into one is asking us to become reborn into a new spirit of caring for each other, especially those of Asian descent and people of color. This Easter is about having a new compact with our individual expression of Divine Consciousness to do better for ourselves and each other because, at the core level, we are a nation that cares for its own.

We can all celebrate this caring for each other that is stirring in our body politic even as we continue to be gripped by a past of residual economic, religious, societal, and racial distortions. We can celebrate our rebirth into a more just time. We can celebrate a renewal of our core values that do hold that we are all created equally. We can celebrate the release of our collective bondage from the violence we are attempting to leave behind. Yes, we can all celebrate no matter which canoe we came in.

•MJ

“I’ve always had something in my heart where I root for guys who struggle with women.” – Kevin James

8 – 15 April 2021

On Science

by Tom Farr

Tom Farr joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1975 and has helped develop the first geologic applications of imaging radar using aircraft, satellites, and the Space Shuttle. He has taught a class on planetary exploration at Santa Barbara City College for more than 10 years. He currently resides in Montecito.

Beyond Our Solar System

T

wenty years ago, there would have been nothing to write about under this topic. There were no known planets circling stars beyond our own. But in 2009 a revolution happened with NASA’s launch of the Kepler telescope. Within a few years, Kepler had found so many planets that scientists realized that there were more planets than stars in our galaxy.

Let that sink in for a moment: There are more planets than there are stars in the galaxy. Astronomy and planetary science will never be the same. The study of exoplanets, as they’re now called, is the new frontier.

Obviously, at least for now, we can’t see planets orbiting other stars directly because the light from the star overwhelms the dim glow that’s reflected by the planet. But there are three main ways we can detect planets orbiting other stars indirectly:

1) We can measure a tiny wobble of the star against the background of fixed stars caused by the tug of the planet going back and forth.

2) That tug also causes a wobble toward and away from us, producing a small Doppler shift in the light from the star.

3) If we have a sensitive enough telescope, we can detect slight dips in a star’s brightness when a planet passes in front of the star (called a transit).

The first two methods were used in the early days of planet-hunting to detect the first exoplanets. The last one is what the Kepler project used.

Kepler’s sole purpose was to “stare” at a spot about the size of your fist at arm’s length near the constellation Cygnus.

It had a 95 mega-pixel camera and it recorded the scene every 6.5 seconds.

Astronomers on Earth then compared the brightness of about 150,000 stars in its field of view and plotted how their brightness varied. The first discoveries were Jupiter-sized planets orbiting close to their stars, “hot Jupiters,” but as the observations continued, smaller and further-out planets were detected, including a few in Earth-like orbits.

After four years, Kepler was moved to a different mission, but its data are still being combed for more planets.

The count is now over 4,000 with a few thousand waiting to be confirmed; some of the exoplanets are multi-planet systems like ours.

Once Kepler proved the usefulness of the transit method of exoplanet dis8 – 15 April 2021

covery, NASA initiated the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which launched in 2018. Rather than focusing on one small patch of sky, TESS is switching around and surveying 200,000 bright stars over the entire sky. TESS has already confirmed over 100 exoplanets with a couple thousand awaiting confirmation. The European Space Agency has also gotten into the game with its CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (these acronyms can get rather tortured) which launched at the end of 2019 and has already discovered a few exoplanets. NASA is also working on a new telescope called the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to be launched in 2025 that will search for and characterize exoplanets in the infrared.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is working on advanced technology that could allow us to directly image a planet around another star. The only way to do that is to block the light of the star and to do that you need an occultation disk – a disk you can place between your telescope and the star which will block the starlight, but not the glow from the tiny planet right next to it. The challenge is that the telescope and disk need to be outside the atmosphere, and the disk needs to be large (over 100 feet) and

far away (about 25,000 miles) from the telescope, while being aligned to a few feet. Project Starshade is working on that.

As we learn more about these other solar systems, JPL’s resident artists have set up an Exoplanet Travel Bureau complete with posters advertising the exotic locations we might someday be able to travel to, such as the lava world of 55 Cancri e, or Kepler 16b, “where your shadow always has company” due to its twin suns. You can download the posters at https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/alienworlds/exoplanet-travel-bureau.

Is There Anybody Out There?

Now that we know there are so many planets out there, interest has revived in an “equation” proposed by astronomer Frank Drake in 1961. He wanted a way to try and answer the question: “Are we alone?” So he wrote down the following, now known as the Drake Equation: N x f p x f1 x f2 x f3 x f4 x L = X Where N is the number of stars in our galaxy, fp is the fraction of stars that have planets, f1 is the fraction of planets that could support life, f2 is the fraction of those that do develop life, f3 is the fraction of those that go on to develop intelligent life (civilization), f4 is the fraction of civilizations that emit detectable signals into space, and L is the length of time they emit those signals. So you start with a big number and gradually whittle it down to a small number. The question is: Is X larger than 0? We know the approximate number of stars in our galaxy and, thanks to the Kepler mission, we

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now know that fp is about 100%. But the rest of the factors are unknown.

If we move a little beyond science and into speculation, we can make estimates of the other factors and can come up with a range of guesses for X. The best guesses now range from 0 to about 15,000,000. In other words, we may be alone, or the galaxy may be teeming with intelligent life! Of the latter possibility, Enrico Fermi, another famous scientist, remarked: “well, where are they?” Because if there are that many civilizations, some must have invented interstellar travel and, given the age of the galaxy, must have colonized most of the other planets.

Thus the Fermi Paradox casts some doubt on the idea of a teeming galaxy.

Meanwhile we’re still searching for ET: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), initiated by Drake, Carl Sagan, and others is using large radio telescopes to scan for artificial signals. They chose a radio wavelength near the resonance frequency of the hydrogen atom as hydrogen is the most common material in the galaxy. So far, no detections have been made. Other wider-ranging searches have also been tried, but one of the limitations is that factor L in the Drake Equation: civilizations may not emit strong signals for very long. Looking at our own history of radio communications shows that, while we had many strong TV transmitters from the ‘50s on up to early this millennium, those are mostly gone now that most TV is on cable or streamed on the internet. So our ‘L’ is only about 50 years or so. But maybe someone, somewhere will pick up an episode of I Love Lucy a few hundred years from now and wonder who those people are…

•MJ

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byOn Pete Muller Entertainment (Continued 16)) April from 2021 page 16

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•MJ

28 MONTECITO JOURNAL

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365 Introduction to Maria?

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13 Part of a musical 64 65 66 instrument that anagrams 68 69 to an animal 16 "How Far ___ Go" 72 (Alessia Cara song that's 71 not the MMMM red herring) 20 Looped fastener This month’s meta is a song from 1969.

22 Fall color 26 Beach in a bossa nova classic 28 Nice beach area 31 23andMe material 32 Left a bug, say 33 "Heat of the Moment" supergroup 34 "Fade Into You" band ©2021 Pete Muller Mazzy ___

8 – 15 April 2021

Meet The Teacher

by Sigrid Toye, Ph.D.

Ms Toye is a former L.A. Unified School District teacher and has worked as an educational-behavior therapist in private practice since 1979.

Cate Head of School Ben Williams

W

hat more can I possibly say about the nationally and internationally lauded Cate School located in the hills above Carpinteria overlooking the ocean?

So much has already been written about this excellent 9th through 12th grade co-educational college preparatory school that offers a rigorous academic yet broad-based curriculum and an all-embracing student life.

Cate’s diverse student population of 300 includes students from countries throughout the world, the United States, and the Santa Barbara community. Of the student population, approximately 20% are day students and the rest are boarders – a subject of great fascination for me!

The Coronavirus restrictions imposed by the County prohibited an in-person visit to Cate to meet with Head of School Ben Williams.

Nonetheless he was kind enough to take an hour – and more – to speak with me by phone. Naturally my first inquiry was how Cate was managing during these uncertain times, but Williams emphasized that the Coronavirus restrictions had been a teaching tool and an opportunity for learning and self-reflection. “’We Before Me’ became our motto for our COVID-19 year, to create something meaningful for our entire community.”

Over 100 years old, the school and its mission continue to reflect the educational principles set down by founder Curtis Wolsey Cate. A Harvard University graduate, Cate crossed the country in 1910 to start a boarding school that combined the academic excellence of East Coast prep schools with the adventurous spirit of the West. That first fall the school had an enrollment of twelve boys and despite changes in location and name over the ensuing decades, the school continued to grow and thrive. Upon Cate’s retirement in 1950, the institution on Cate Mesa Road was officially renamed Cate School in his honor.

Today Curtis Wosley Cate’s name and vision remain the foundation and the school’s mission.

The Cate boarding department was of special interest, especially from an administrative point of view, as I grew up as a student in a boarding school.

Not long into our conversation, I was stunned to discover Williams to be a kindred soul. “The Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts is where I grew up,” he revealed. “My father was the Head of School.” As 8 – 15 April 2021

Cate School was founded by Curtis Wolsey Cate, who crossed the country in 1910 to start a boarding school that combined the academic excellence of East Coast prep schools with the adventurous spirit of the West

Ben Williams has been Head of School at Cate since 1997

one of three boys who grew up in a community of students, teachers, and administrators, the experience left a permanent stamp on their lives.

“As a matter of fact,” Williams added proudly, “my two brothers are also heads of boarding schools!”

After graduation from high school, Williams earned his undergraduate degree in American literature and history at Williams College in Massachusetts and later a graduate degree from Brown University. His first teaching position was in Boston after which he made his way to California by way of Texas as Head of the Upper School at St. John’s School in Houston. “I wanted to see what boarding schools were like in the West, which is how I came to Cate School in 1998,” he recalled. Williams’ journey to Cate School sounds very similar to that of Curtis Wolsey Cate, the school’s founder.

More Than Just a School

Cate is a place where character building, as one faculty member puts it, “happens organically, through hard work and service to others.” The school resembles a college campus with dormitories and faculty apartments connected. “Time with instructors is important, not only in the classroom but in sports, meals, and personal interactions… Our campus is more than just a school, it’s home!”

Williams emphasized. “The result of

His first teaching position was in Boston after which he made his way to California by way of Texas as Head of the Upper School at St. John’s School in Houston. “I wanted to see what boarding schools were like in the West, which is how I came to Cate School in 1998.” – Cate Head of School Ben Williams

being part of a boarding school community is an experience that extends far beyond the moment,” he added.

With a student body of young people from 18 foreign countries and 32 states, Cate teaches its students to be citizens of the world, a melding of diverse cultures, ethnicities, religions, and sensibilities. Or as Williams put it, “Like building an orchestra, a variety of instruments all playing together to become a harmonious symphony.” As he explains to his incoming students, “Entering Cate is not a four-year decision! Once you’re here you are part of this community… and you will always be.

These years will accompany you as

you go forward in life. The memory of your years at Cate School will be a time released experience, one that doesn’t accrue until years later with the realization of what you had and where... and with whom you had it.”

Even as I write I’m deeply touched

by Williams’ insightful words rooted in personal experience and history.

His ability to articulate his thoughts so openly takes me back to my own time as a resident student at what is now the Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. Growing up in a secure community of students and teachers was indeed a gift far greater than just receiving a high school diploma, a gift that has continued to give over the years. Cate School’s mission is to create the same kind of learning opportunity: An educational experience that continues to inform with the passage of years. Like the pages in a treasured book that reveal truths in their own time, Cate School’s mission and experience on campus is designed to last a lifetime.

In conclusion Williams described his own perspective. “Growing up in a boarding school is ‘magical.’ No better village to grow up in… Certainly the reason why my brothers and I run boarding schools today because the community where we grew up sustained us!” Could one ask for a better verification than that? I think not.

Santa Barbara can be proud that Cate School, one of the premier boarding schools in the United States, is part of our community… just around the corner!

•MJ

• Available to care for our neighbors, and accepting new patients.

• Infection control protocol followed, with all areas sanitized including wait area and exam room.

1483 E. Valley Road, Suite M | 805.969.6090

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

29

Our Town

by Joanne A. Calitri

Joanne is a professional international photographer and journalist.

Contact her at: artraks@yahoo.com

Read ‘N Post Says Goodbye

F

or 35 years, Read ‘N Post (RnP) has been our town’s local meeting spot for posting your mail and packages, finding the perfect card for any occasion, stationary supplies, and the largest ongoing racks of real glossy high-end magazines from around the world. Due to unforeseen expenses incurred from our over one-year lockdown and other disasters, principal owner-manager Jan Hendrickson and co-owner John Devereaux had to make the difficult decision to close. Their final business day is April 24 and the store is having an everything-must-go sale.

Jan has the longest history of working at the store, some 24 years to be precise, arriving in 1997 after its original store named “The Front Page” was remodeled, and reopened to be the Read ‘N Post, still located next to Starbucks on Coast Village Road.

As far as we were able to find out, the original owners were George and Betty Erhart; adding Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea later on, and then Robert Burns, and Kari and Andrew Martindale.

Jan bought out the partners, and took on John as part owner, moving the shop to the Montecito Country Mart in 2012. The post office was part of the original store before it was remodeled in 1997, and will carry on with the Montecito Mercantile shop that is coming into the space to serve the community.

To say our town is saddened the store and their long-time employees

are leaving is an understatement.

There are many COVID-safe distant hugs and long tales being told at Read ‘N Post since Jan and John posted a goodbye sign on their front and back doors a week ago. And so, it is fitting and an honor to interview them to present their stories: Jan says, “I first joined the staff at Read ‘N Post after deciding to go back to school to get an additional degree.

I thought that it would be the perfect school job, where I could clock in and out and leave it behind at the end of my shift. I soon found myself promoted to assistant manager, soon thereafter to manager. After a short time, I became a junior partner. I found the work pleasant, appealing, and more than just a job. Many will remember the store name as the Front Page. I remember being a customer when I was young. It was a homey store, and perhaps even a little bit dowdy.

In early 1997, the store was remodeled and took on new partners and it became Read ‘N Post. This is when I appeared on the scene.

“Through the years there have been many tremendous individuals who have worked at Read ‘N Post. But this current team has been with the store longer than any other crew. They are loyal, dedicated, hardworking, and caring people and I am proud to be their co-worker. We are friends, but most of all we are family. We care about each other and we are saddened to be leaving. But we will keep in

In trying times, overcome fear and uncertainty with the peace and security of a solid meditation practice.

touch; in fact, we already have our first reunion planned for 30 days after we close the store. People have been kind and want to know what we will do. It is too soon to know, but some time off is well deserved.

“We have had many fascinating, creative, and high-powered people as customers. There have been many artists, authors, actors, comedians, musicians, producers, and neighbors who come with a story. Over the years, we have also met hundreds of little furry friends as well. Lizards, snakes, and birds have also paid us a visit. But perhaps the most unique visit was a miniature horse that came prancing into the store, with its human sidekick of course… so adorable! Robin thinks that it was a therapy horse, because it was used to being indoors and being around people. But neither one of us knows the name of owner. I don’t know what year it was, but it was at the old store by Starbucks. And yes, the horse did come into the store.

“We have so enjoyed our customers.

They are so much more than that to us.

They are our friends and we will miss them. They brighten our days with stories, jokes, and weather reports. We have celebrated their happy moments and grieved their losses. We see the same customers come in, and then before you know it, you blink and suddenly the ones that were children are now grown and bringing in their children. And suddenly you realize just how many years have passed and all the moments we have shared together at a retail store called Read ‘N Post. They have been good years!”

Robin Machado,

also known privately as a Fairy Godmother, says, “I worked in the post office from 2001 until my 2017 retirement. I returned February 14, 2020, working Fridays as a store clerk. Costumes became my thing and people enjoyed them.

Sometimes they would come in just to see what I was wearing. No season was ignored. It was all about the hats, wigs, and accessories. Cowboys, green faced witches, spiders, reindeer, pil-

grims, and pirates. My ‘Rock Chick’ outfit with a big black Tina Turner-type wig and tattooed sleeves went over the wall. One customer saw me from afar and said, ‘No wonder she always wears long sleeves.’ Good Times!

Besides our wonderful loyal customers, I will miss my Read ‘N Post family.

Terrific people to work for and with.

Hardworking – but fun to be around.

Jan is a dream boss – the type of caring person for whom you want to do your very best. She made Read ‘N Post a happy place to work. I will retire again – but living in Montecito, I hope to see all my friends around.”

Eva Barta,

assistant manager, says, “I have worked at Read ‘N Post for 13 years as assistant manager. I felt very lucky working in such a friendly environment. I enjoyed working for Jan. She is a wonderful person and great manager. I also liked decorating the store, changing it season to season, holidays to holidays. I will miss you all.”

Wendy Hawksworth,

Post Office Wizard! The gal who knows every way to mail any package for the best price. She shares, “I have been at Read ‘N Post for 16 years working in the post office. Fondest memories: I remember funny things like customers rushing to get the latest Beanie Babies when they were just released at the original Read ‘N Post next to Starbucks. Also my coworker Robin dressing up in bunny ears, reindeer antlers, and a giant Uncle Sam hat for Tax Day. These were entertaining but more important to me was having a manager/later owner of the store who said thank you to you at the end of your shift and took into account employees’ lives. Jan Hendrickson has been concerned for both customers and staff during her many years with the business. Working in the post office, I have also enjoyed seeing people keep in touch with their families and friends, welcoming new babies

Our Town Page 424

Radhule Weininger, PhD, MD, is a local in Montecito offering individualized, and customized meditation teaching, using mindfulness, compassion and advanced awareness practices to help you cultivate inner calm, awakeness and freedom as well as emotional balance.

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Books:

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Also see free daily meditations at: mindfulheartprograms.org mindfulheartprograms.org/elders radhuleweiningerphd.com radhule@gmail.com | 805-455-6205

30 MONTECITO JOURNAL

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“There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap.” – Kevin James

8 – 15 April 2021

Just Added Virtual Events for April & May

Intimate, interactive online events you won’t find anywhere else.

Jane Goodall

Hope Fuels a Better World Sat, Apr 10 / 11 AM Pacific (Note new time) Event Sponsors: Betsy Atwater & Tim Eaton, and Susan & Bruce Worster

Kelly McGonigal

Ephrat Asherie Dance

Speaking with Pico

Mohsin Hamid

The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection and Courage

Odeon

Fri, Apr 16 7 PM Pacific

Tue, Apr 20 5 PM Pacific

(Note special time)

Tue, Apr 13 5 PM Pacific

Supporting Sponsor: Siri & Bob Marshall

Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott

Arthur C. Brooks National Renewal

Tue, May 11 / 5 PM Pacific

Lead Sponsor: Jody & John Arnhold

Speaking with Pico

Mira Nair Wed, May 26 5 PM Pacific

Songs of Comfort and Hope Wed, May 5 5 PM Pacific

Corporate Sponsor:

Additional support for Jane Goodall provided by Forces of Nature series sponsor Audrey & Timothy O. Fisher in memory of J. Brooks Fisher Dance Series Sponsors: Annette & Dr. Richard Caleel, Margo Cohen-Feinberg & Bob Feinberg, Irma & Morrie Jurkowitz, Barbara Stupay, and Sheila Wald Speaking with Pico Series Sponsors: Dori Pierson Carter & Chris Carter, Martha Gabbert, and Laura Shelburne & Kevin O’Connor Ephrat Asherie Dance presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater and Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech, and in association with the UCSB Department of Theater and Dance Mira Nair presented in association with the Carsey-Wolf Center at UC Santa Barbara

House Calls - Spring 2021: $70 (Includes the seven virtual events slated for Apr-May)

Community Partners:

Single tickets start at $10 UCSB students: FREE! (Registration required).

Special Thanks:

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu 8 – 15 April 2021

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

31

Village Beat (Continued from page 6) tory in private club hospitality and membership development. Before joining the team, he served as Club House manager at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Montecito Club family and work with a stellar team to help navigate our club membership through the pandemic without diminishing the extraordinary services and amenities that the club is known and loved for,” Orosco said. “We have an exceptional membership group that is thrilled to return to the club and connect with friends and colleagues with whom they haven’t seen in a long time. We aim to be that safe and exciting environment where they can connect once more.”

Montecito Club captures the luxury private club experience seamlessly, with its stunning ocean views, classic architecture, world-class golf course, fitness and wellness facilities, Championship Rebound Ace state-of-

The Moroccan decor and craftsmanship at the Club was created by the same Moroccan craftsmen that designed the Islamic Wing of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

the-art tennis courts, stately facilities and amenities, gourmet dining, leisure aquatics, family-friendly entertainment, and exceptional guest service.

Membership includes benefits across Ty Warner’s portfolio of prop-

Mini Meta

PUZZLE #1 2

455-2587 (kcampbell@tymail.com) or Johanna Dearinger at (805) 276-7669 (jdearinger@tymail.com).

Land Use Discusses Highways 101 & 192, and Walking Paths

Kirsten Ayars, rep for the Highway 101 widening project, reported on Tuesday at the Montecito Association Land Use and Transportation Committee that recent attempts at deterring the double crested cormorants in the construction area at Sheffield Drive have been negatively affecting neighbors, and that plans have shifted in order to deter the birds while not disrupting nearby residents.

Since 2011, double crested cormorants have seasonally nested along southbound Highway 101 near Sheffield Drive. Biologists have been monitoring the birds and nest counts since 2013. As part of the highway

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Across 1 Sentence fragment?

5 Bits of crime scene evidence, perhaps 7 Golfer Palmer, familiarly 8 Company led by Elon Musk 9 Where the farmer is, in a children's song

Down 1 Second of the five W's 2 Rowed 3 Wash the suds off 4 "You know the ___" 6 Animal in a pod

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Down 1 Director Whedon of the first two "Avengers" films 2 Time and time again 3 Overly trusting, say 4 Moorehead of "Citizen Kane" 5 Viewed

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32 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Across 1 Virtuous 5 More yellow, as a banana 7 With 1-Down, Mediterranean agricultural staple 8 Marvel villain portrayed by Tom Hardy in a 2018 film 9 Starter home?

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Down 1 Opposite of 4-Down 2 How beer may be served at a bar 3 Heart parts 4 Opposite of 1-Down 6 CPR experts

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Across 1 Hug and kiss, in Cambridge 5 Dern of 2019's "Little Women" 7 In pursuit of 8 Man the helm 9 "___! The Herald Angels Sing"

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Across 1 Unit of bread 5 How many a pirouette is done 7 Play without a pick, maybe 8 Corrupt 9 Adds exaggerated information to, as a résumé

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Across 1 ___ Brothers (pop trio who made a comeback in 2019) 6 Old enough 7 "Goosebumps" author R.L. ___ 8 Most likely roll with two dice 9 Classic gaming console letters

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Village Beat Page 444 444

Last Week’s Solution:

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

1

erties including Montecito Club, Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Four Seasons Hotel New York, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, San Ysidro Ranch, and Sandpiper Golf Club. No word yet on the reopening dates of The Biltmore and Coral Casino, which also closed last year at the start of the pandemic.

Memberships currently available include the Ambassador Membership with full club privileges excluding golf; the Signature Membership with full club privileges at each individual club; and the distinguished Connoisseur Memberships, which includes full club privileges at Montecito Club and Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club.

Memberships include special access to Ty Warner’s Hotels, Resorts, and Golf Courses.

Montecito Club is located at 920 Summit Road in Montecito. For more information, visit www.mo ntecitoclub1918.com. For membership inquiries call Kelly Campbell at (805)

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Down 1 See 7-Across 2 Used WD-40 on, say 3 Speak one's mind 4 Cattle breed that shares its name with an English county 6 Stage of sleep when dreams occur

Across 1 Capital of Iran?

5 Murphy who voiced Donkey in "Shrek" 7 White, as vin 8 Bob with the Silver Bullet Band 9 Contact lens solution brand

“I never played a musical instrument growing up but I knew kids who did and took it very seriously.” – Kevin James

Down 1 Boards, on a b-ball stat sheet 2 Do-nothing 3 "Little strokes fell great oaks," e.g.

4 Bedding material 6 Color of raw 4-Down

8 – 15 April 2021

Brilliant Thoughts

- VIRTUAL EVENTS -

by Ashleigh Brilliant Born London, 1933. Mother Canadian. Father a British civil servant. World War II childhood spent mostly in Toronto and Washington, D.C. Berkeley PhD. in American History, 1964. Living in Santa Barbara since 1973. No children.

Best-known for his illustrated epigrams, called “Pot-Shots”, now a series of 10,000. Email ashleigh@west.net or visit www.ashleighbrilliant.com

No Stone Unturned

W

hen you think of something permanent, what first probably comes to mind are the “everlasting hills,” or at least a piece of one, which we call a rock or a stone. That’s why we use stone to mark graves, which has the additional advantage that you can “inscribe” something on it. But of course, we know that this “permanence” is only relative, and that rocks wear away like everything else. The inscriptions go first, so the stone becomes a memorial to someone unknown. But by the time they are that old, it hardly matters anyway.

Thomas Gray, writing his “Elegy in a Country Churchyard,” reflects on the “frail memorials,” to people already forgotten, by which he is surrounded. But even today, in my own neighborhood there are small plaques dedicating certain trees or benches to people I never knew, and often the plaques have already become illegible.

But, when it comes to our relations with rocks, Greek mythology has given us the image of Sisyphus, condemned eternally to roll a heavy boulder up a steep hill. Then, just when he’s nearly at the top, it rolls all the way back down, and poor Sisyphus must begin his task all over again. This legend inspired me to use the same image to illustrate one of my epigrams, which asks, “HOW MUCH LONGER WILL IT TAKE ME, IF I NEVER MAKE ANY PROGRESS?” But, as for stones in general, our culture tends to give these objects a bad rap, for being hard and cold, and dead. They also tend (depending on circumstances) to be burdensome, worthless, and dangerous. They obstruct your way. They blunt and deflect your tools. Even a small one in your shoe can literally be a big pain.

But that’s only one way of looking at it. There was, in fact, a whole era of human development, lasting over three million years, before metals came into use, known as “The Stone Age.” People spent enormous quantities of time and labor erecting monumental stone structures whose remains are still to be seen on almost every continent. I myself have visited one such remnant, called Stonehenge – in the days when the public was still allowed to approach and actually touch the stones.

8 – 15 April 2021

Gullah Music of the Carolina Coast But there are also single large stones which have acquired semi-mystical significance. For example, there’s the “Stone of Scone” on which Scottish kings were crowned, until 1296, when a victorious Edward I brought it to London, where it has ever since formed part of the British “Coronation Chair” in Westminster Abbey. I was living in London in 1950, when that Stone was actually stolen by some Scottish nationalists, who managed to retain it for more than a year, before it was found and restored (fortunately in plenty of time before the next monarch, Elizabeth II, was crowned).

Of even greater importance, to far more people, is the “black stone” around which the structure known as the Kaaba has been built in Mecca, the holiest place in the Islamic world.

Every pilgrimage to Mecca is supposed to include going seven times around this shrine. The actual stone is said to be a meteorite.

I have no personal connections with that part of the world – but I can, however, claim to have “kissed the Blarney Stone,” although it does not seem to have endowed me with any great persuasive powers. This storied Stone is located in a wall of Blarney Castle in southern Ireland, at a point which is so difficult to reach that (when I was there) a man made his living holding the feet of tourists so they could lean over a battlement and get close enough to perform the required osculation.

Our language and literature are of course dappled with stone-related references. But I have to admit that, despite conventional explanations, the proverbial rolling stone which gathers no moss has always puzzled me. For one thing, stones in general don’t roll of their own volition, so I find that image in itself hard to conjure up. And then, who wants to gather moss anyway?

Much more meaningful to me is the deeply compassionate expression attributed to Jesus, about punishing an adulteress (traditionally by stoning to death): “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Finally, let’s not overlook the precious stones we call gems. Here again, I can claim a connection, through my name, “Brilliant,” which any good dictionary will tell you is a diamond, cut in a special way, for maximum sparkle.

•MJ

Ranky Tanky Thu, Apr 15 / 5 PM Pacific $10 / UCSB students: FREE! (UCSB student registration required)

Winner of the 2020 Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album, Ranky Tanky is a dynamo quintet with an inspired take on the soulful songs of South Carolina’s Gullah culture.

The Father of Environmental Justice

Dr. Robert Bullard The Quest for Environmental and Racial Justice Wed, Apr 21 / 5 PM Pacific $10 / UCSB students: FREE! (UCSB student registration required)

With more than four decades of action advocating for racial equality and fair environmental and urban planning, Dr. Robert Bullard is widely considered the father of the environmental justice movement.

Dr. Robert Bullard presented in association with the Central Coast Climate Justice Network, Community Environmental Council, UCSB Bren School for Environmental Science & Management and UCSB Environmental Studies

Lead Sponsors: Marcy Carsey, Connie Frank & Evan Thompson, Patty & John MacFarlane, Sara Miller McCune, Santa Barbara Foundation, Lynda Weinman & Bruce Heavin, Dick Wolf, and Zegar Family Foundation UC Santa Barbara Campus Partners: Department of Black Studies Center for Black Studies Research Division of Social Sciences Division of Humanities and Fine Arts Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences Division of Student Affairs Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Graduate Division Bren School for Environmental Science & Management

College of Creative Studies College of Engineering MultiCultural Center Carsey-Wolf Center The Program in Latin American and Iberian Studies UCSB Library | UCSB Reads Office of the Chancellor Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor

Community Partners: Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli Special Thanks:

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

33

Summerland Buzz

by Leslie A. Westbrook

A third-generation Californian, Leslie, currently resides in Carpinteria but called Summerland home for 30 years. She can be reached at LeslieAWestbrook@gmail.com

Out With the Old Locks, in With the New ‘Do

Jonathan Dawson, left, and Kara Richard own the Summerland Salon and Spa (Photo credit: Lauren Maeve Photography)

Leslie Derham performs customized facials at the Summerland Salon and Spa (Photo credit: Lauren Maeve Photography)

The Summerland Salon and Spa provides a serene experience (Photo credit: Lauren Maeve Photography)

W

hat’s the first thing you want (or wanted) to do after getting vaccinated? Hug somebody? A trip (who’d a thunk it?) to the dentist? A trip – any kind of trip? I’m down for all of that as well as aching for a massage and/or a chiropractic adjustment. (Reminder to self: Call Charlie Bissell in the Upper Village.)

Everyone seems to want and/or need a haircut – including yours truly.

After a year of zero trips to the beauty salon —and a rather botched attempt at trimming my own haywire locks under lockdown (“I can tell,” Kara Richard, 38, mused as she chopped off the old and brought on my new spring “do”), the first thing I did was book an appointment at Summerland Salon and Spa. In 2017, business partners Kara Richard and Jonathan Dawson took over and redid the décor in Summerland’s only salon and created what Jonathan called “a little sanctuary to get refreshed, fulfilled, and to leave feeling regenerated.”

Then, life (as they say in polite society) “happened.” Year one, not so great thanks to the Thomas Fire and debris flow. They made it through year two – adding pop-up shopping, mini-concerts, and wellness retreats to the spa menu. Year three: a pandemic.

Finally, business is coming back, after our year of lockdown.

“It was a ghost town,” Kara told me, which was not what she imagined

34 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Eminence skin care is made from plants, fruits, seeds, and herbs (Photo credit: Lauren Maeve Photography)

“Embracing the down time,” the dynamic duo has taken the challenge of this past year as a time to “rebirth” their business into a sanctuary not just for hair care, but for wellness coaching from the inside out, while working on marketing and social media.

The Summerland Salon and Spa is back accepting customers (Photo credit: Lauren Maeve Photography)

after moving west from Louisiana, despite Summerland’s ghostly history.

They are obviously happy to be operating again (at limited, safe capacity) and look forward to welcoming back customers old and new. In fact, many newbies to town have been helping keep the salon’s five stylists busy again. They offer yoga on SelfCare Sundays which have returned,

as well as wellness retreats, including one planned to Santa Ynez in the fall.

“Embracing the down time,” the dynamic duo has taken the challenge of this past year as a time to “rebirth” their business into a sanctuary not just for hair care, but for wellness coaching from the inside out, while working on marketing and social media.

I was thrilled to learn that Her Gorgeous Highness/Southern Belle Kara, now of Summerland, who was an art major at University of Lake Charles before moving to California,

“I took a public speaking class in college and managed to make the class laugh a little bit.” - Kevin James

Eminence skin care is utilized during facials (Photo credit: Lauren Maeve Photography)

was able to cut and blow dry my hair in a private room with an open door which made me feel like a princess (are you listening, Meghan?).

Co-owner Jonathan Dawson, 36, grew up in Santa Barbara and has been in the industry for 15 years.

Cosmetology is “in his blood” – his mother, Robin Kaplan, owned Shear Design in Summerland.

“I started cutting hair in the backyard, then went to school for it,” recalls Dawson, who enjoys sailing and cooking on his time off. His beauty philosophy is “keep it healthy and keep it natural – enhanced, of course!”

The dynamic business partners, who both reside in Summerland (not together, Jonathan has a girlfriend), have been trying to find silver linings due to the lockdown – and now the salon and its customers are emerging like butterflies from our year-long cocooning.

For the launch of their newly created “mini-retreats and self-care” days on the last Sunday of every month 8 – 15 April 2021

(and purposefully coinciding with Summerland’s Farmer and the Flea market), aesthetician/skincare professional Leslie Derham, who performs customized facials, introduced me to the all-natural organic and biodynamic Eminence skin care line made from plants, fruits, seeds, and herbs.

(During the pandemic, pre-packaged at home facial kits were sent to their clientele.) More self-care days and even mini-retreats to the Santa Ynez Valley are in the works.

“Our team wants to create holistic wellness; we’re redoing ourselves and will be even better than before!” the duo noted.

“It was hard not seeing clients during COVID-19,” Kara said, who kept in touch via email, “It’s great

opening back up!”

For more information and to make an appointment, visit www.summer landsalonandspa.com or call (805) 969-2322.

Do What Teddy Does!

(Follow the Leader)

What a delight it was to meet the Ru family at the Summerland Fire Station on a recent Sunday afternoon where the rather precocious and terribly adorable two-and-a-half-yearold, Teddy Firestone Ru, was practicing his firefighting skills with great aplomb under the kind guidance of Interim Summerland-Carpinteria Fire Captain Johan Nilsson. He handled the hose with great dexterity, turning

it off and on, while giving the station plants a nice splash of water! Dad and mom, Wesley Ru and Victoria Firestone Ru, looked on proudly.

Wesley is a polo player and trustee at the Santa Barbara Polo Club and Victoria told me the games start up again in May… watch for news here for if and when the games will be open to the public again.

Teddy is setting a great example by wearing his mask (except for one special photo!) and you should set one too with the spring surge expected and all the tourists descending on our beautiful region. Keep up the good work, Teddy – you’re a natural and a great role model.

A Final Note

A big ol’ “Yeehaw!” to the one and only charming and delightful Jimmy Andros, who at the young age of 93 saddled up his pony and rode on over to The Nugget – which by the way is now open inside for meals in the booths.

•MJ

Teddy Firestone Ru, 2, had a blast learning the ropes as a firefighter

Jimmy Andros, 93, rode his pony to The Nugget (Photo credit: Jerry Cupit)

The Nugget is located at 2318 Lillie Avenue

Coastal Hideaways

Teddy Firestone Ru, 2, gets some firefighting tips from Interim SummerlandCarpinteria Fire Captain Johan Nilsson

Inc.

805 969-1995 Luxury Vacation Rentals Short or Long Term

Interior Design Services also available Hire the best in the industry to manage your income property.

Please stop in and visit us 25 years serving the Santa Barbara community

Melissa M. Pierson, Owner

The Nugget is now open for meals

8 – 15 April 2021

• The Voice of the Village •

1211 Coast Village Road #4 Montecito, CA 93108 Vacations@coastalhideaways.com www.coastalhideaways.com

MONTECITO JOURNAL

35

Far Flung Travel

by Chuck Graham

Worth Saving: Wetlands at Ormond Beach Need Our Love

T

he perpetual northwest winds were up, grooming the exposed foredunes of a windswept Ormond Beach in southern Oxnard.

The well-manicured dunes constantly shifted with the winds, buffering a sliver of coastal wetland still hanging on in Southern California.

The wetlands at Ormond Beach are one of the last remaining coastal wetlands in the entire state. More than 90 percent of all coastal wetlands have been lost to coastal development; harbors, homes, roads, and oil refineries replacing some of the richest, most biodiverse habitats in North America.

Looking at an aerial map of Ormond Beach and the surrounding area, saving this postage stamp of a wetland appears hopeless. The beleaguered wetland is smothered by habitat degradation, especially at the end of McWane Boulevard and Perkins Road.

A power plant, toxic waste, agricultural run-off, graffiti, and homeless encampments far overshadow this remnant of a struggling coastal eco-system. It appears as if the amount of trash in the channels and mudflats far outnumber the shorebirds, gulls and waders that somehow coexist in this meager ecological quagmire.

Nature Conservancy for the past four years at Ormond Beach, revealing the natural wonders of a coastal wetland.

Most of those walks take place at the end of Arnold Road, the more intact region of the Ormond Beach wetland compared to the badly degraded wetland to the northwest at the end of McWane Boulevard and Perkins Road. Most of her participants are adults, but it’s the children participating in those nature walks that are potentially the next wave of naturalists and stewards.

“It seems like no one wants to deal with it,” said Davis, touching on the overall state of Ormond Beach. “It’s the ugly stepchild of the area.”

Yet, something stirs as a naturalist.

There is a responsibility that comes with stewardship of one of the last remaining wetlands in California. It holds true for an educator such as Davis who enjoys revealing to the next generation of naturalists and stewards that Ormond Beach is still a viable coastal wetland.

“The only way to not go down the rabbit hole of depression is to educate people, or increase awareness,” continued Davis. “These aren’t things we can fix, but maybe these kids can.”

Still a Pulse

An Ecological Facelift

At first light Ormond Beach resembled a working wetland. Pools on the mudflats reflected the highest peaks of the nearby Santa Monica Mountains. Western sandpipers tiptoed through the mirrored water as a flock of snow geese migrated north overhead. Behind me, a wide channel was full of waterfowl: ruddy duck, mallard, northern shoveler, and piedbilled grebe. A pair of whit-tailed kites harassed a perched red-tailed hawk as a belted kingfisher spouted off with strident, mechanical rattles heard across the swollen channel.

Naturalist Amy Davis has been leading guided nature walks for The

36 MONTECITO JOURNAL

For years it has felt like the battle cry for Ormond Beach has been a drum beaten to death, and when observing it, the wetland seems like a battle lost.

It appears as if the wetland of Ormond Beach is on a downward trajectory to always being an ill-functioning mire with no glimmer of recovery.

Still, like other remaining coastal wetlands, Ormond Beach is an important stopover along the Pacific Flyway for more than 200 species of migratory birds, and restoration work performed in the future will provide habitat and important refuge for migrating and nesting birds of all kinds.

Its foredunes and beaches do look

as they should and are mostly void of trash thanks to volunteer efforts. The foredunes and back dunes are vital habitat for western snowy plovers and California least terns. It’s the mud flats, channels, and upland habitats that are in dire need of an environmental facelift.

However, some help is on the way for what will be a long road to recovery. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) awarded more than $27 million to 14 states, funds put toward restoring almost 28,000 acres of coastal wetlands and adjacent upland habitats. The California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) received $7 million of that total sum, with $1 million going towards restoration efforts at 650-acre Ormond Beach.

Under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, funds were generated via USFWS’s Wildlife and Sports Fish Restoration Program (WSFR). Taxes or import duties from the program were collected from the sale of recreational fishing equipment, boats, electric motors and motorboat and small engine fuels under the authority of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. The WSFR program provides funding for long-term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems by helping states and territories to protect, restore and enhance coastal habitats.

The billions of dollars generated through recreational angling, boating, waterfowl hunting and birdwatching benefit communities in the vicinity of wetland restoration projects.

“Ormond Beach currently is a viable coastal wetland,” said Christopher Kroll, Ormond Beach Project Manager for the SCC. “It has been impacted by the development of the area, but it continues to have great habitat value for many plant and animal species.

Restoration of degraded habitat areas is a goal of the current planning effort.

“Restoration and public access projects of this scale take a significant (amount) of time at the front end – to identify the opportunity, find the funding, study the ecological impacts, talk to the community, and get the permits lined up – but we’re entering a really exciting period now where I’ll expect people will see things moving forward.”

“You think school ends when it ends, but it doesn’t.” – Kevin James

Some of those efforts include: • Eradicating 11, and controlling five, non-native, invasive plant species across the 650-acre project area.

• Removing 80,000 pounds of trash from wetlands, waterways, and beaches.

• Monitoring water quality and trash source pollution of three waterways that feed into Ormond Lagoon four times annually.

• Installing 5,000 feet of fencing to protect endangered shorebird nesting habitat and monitor.

• Managing 150 acres of nesting habitat for coastal-dependent and migratory birds.

• Providing six trainings annually for volunteer naturalists, and/or schools, and one training annually to local and state law enforcement on nesting habitat protection and management.

• Managing 24 community-organized waterway and beach clean-up events annually.

• Conducting public outreach on restoration and public access plan, through two public workshops, surveys, focus groups, and field trips conducted virtually, in multiple languages.

“It is a functioning wetland habitat now, but the goal of the planning effort is to restore habitat areas that have been degraded and improve the public access experience while protecting sensitive species,” continued Kroll.

“Despite the industry and industrial waste around it, it has been largely untouched by freeways, residential developments, oil extraction, and other urban infrastructure that hem in most of the region’s other wetlands.”

Community outreach is a major goal of the SCC, and Kroll stressed that over the next several years he wants the community of Oxnard to feel a connection with Ormond Beach that it hasn’t had in the past.

“Study after study has shown the physical and mental benefits of access to nature,” explained Kroll. “This project isn’t just important for birds and wildlife; it’s going to be a recreational amenity especially for the people of South Oxnard.”

•MJ 8 – 15 April 2021

Notice Inviting Bids

ORDINANCE NO. 5997

CONVEYANCE MAIN PROJECT Bid No. 4016 1.

Bid Submission. The City of Santa Barbara (“City”) will accept electronic bids for its Conveyance Main Project (“Project”), by or before April 28, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. local time, through its PlanetBids portal. Bidders must be registered on the City of Santa Barbara’s PlanetBids portal in order to submit a Bid proposal and to receive addendum notifications. Each bidder is responsible for making certain that its Bid Proposal is actually submitted/uploaded with sufficient time to be received by PlanetBids prior to the bid opening date and time. Large files may take more time to be submitted/uploaded to PlanetBids, so plan accordingly. The receiving time on the PlanetBids server will be the governing time for acceptability of bids. Telegraphic, telephonic, hardcopy, and facsimile bids will not be accepted.

If any Addendum issued by the City is not acknowledged online by the Bidder, the PlanetBids System will prevent the Bidder from submitting a Bid Proposal. Bidders are responsible for obtaining all addenda from the City’s PlanetBids portal.

SANTA BARBARA APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH SB GRANADA GARAGE SOLAR LLC TO INCLUDE A BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM AT THE GRANADA GARAGE LOCATED AT 1221 ANACAPA STREET

Bid results and awards will be available on PlanetBids.

2.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

Project Information.

2.1 Location and Description The Project is located in the City of Santa Barbara, California approximately in Yanonali Street, Calle Caesar Chavez, Salsipuedes Street, Ortega Street, Olive Street, Sola Street, and Garden Street ,and is described as follows: the Work generally consists of construction of approximately 2.2 miles of 24-inch diameter potable water pipeline, a pressure reducing valve vault, 500 feet of 8-inch diameter sanitary sewer pipeline replacement, pipeline appurtenances, paving, potholing, CCTV inspection, electrical and instrumentation equipment, and other miscellaneous work.

2.2 Time for Final Completion. The Project must be fully completed within 300 calendar days from the start date set forth in the Notice to Proceed. City anticipates that the Work will begin on or about June 2, 2021, but the anticipated start date is provided solely for convenience and is neither certain nor binding.

2.3

3.

Estimated Cost. The estimated construction cost is $12,000,000.

License and Registration Requirements.

3.1

The above captioned ordinance was adopted at a regular meeting of the Santa Barbara City Council held on March 23, 2021.

The publication of this ordinance is made pursuant to the provisions of Section 512 of the Santa Barbara City Charter as amended, and the original ordinance in its entirety may be obtained at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, Santa Barbara,

License. This Project requires a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): A.

California.

3.2 DIR Registration. City may not accept a Bid Proposal from or enter into the Contract with a bidder, without proof that the bidder is registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code § 1725.5, subject to limited legal exceptions.

(Seal)

4.

Contract Documents. The plans, specifications, bid forms and contract documents for the Project, and any addenda thereto (“Contract Documents”) may be downloaded from City’s website at: http://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=29959. The Project and its contract documents will be available on the City’s PlanetBids Portal starting on Thursday, April 1, 2021. A printed copy of the Contract Documents may be obtained from 1.

CyberCopy Shop, located at 504 N. Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, at (805) 884- 6155.

/s/ Sarah Gorman, MMC City Clerk Services Manager

5.

Bid Security. The Bid Proposal must be accompanied by bid security of ten percent of the maximum bid amount, in the form of a cashier’s or certified check made payable to City, or a bid bond executed by a surety licensed to do business in the State of California on the Bid Bond form included with the Contract Documents. The bid security must guarantee that within ten days after City issues the Notice of Award, the successful bidder will execute the Contract and submit the payment and performance bonds, insurance certificates and endorsements, and any other submittals required by the Contract Documents and as specified in the Notice of Award.

6.

Prevailing Wage Requirements.

6.1 General. Pursuant to California Labor Code § 1720 et seq., this Project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the Work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the Work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes.

6.2 Rates. These prevailing rates are on file with the City and are available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the Project. The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

6.3 1771.4.

Compliance. The Contract will be subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the DIR, under Labor Code §

ORDINANCE NO. 5997 STATE OF CALIFORNIA

) ) COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss. ) CITY OF SANTA BARBARA ) I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was introduced on March 16, 2021 and adopted by the Council of the City of Santa Barbara at a meeting held

7.

Performance and Payment Bonds. The successful bidder will be required to provide performance and payment bonds, each for 100% of the Contract Price, as further specified in the Contract Documents.

on March 23, 2021, by the following roll call vote:

8.

Substitution of Securities. Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted under Public Contract Code § 22300.

AYES:

9.

Subcontractor List. Each Subcontractor must be registered with the DIR to perform work on public projects. Each bidder must submit a completed Subcontractor List form with its Bid Proposal, including the name, location of the place of business, California contractor license number, DIR registration number, and percentage of the Work to be performed (based on the base bid price) for each Subcontractor that will perform Work or service or fabricate or install Work for the prime contractor in excess of one-half of 1% of the bid price, using the Subcontractor List form included with the Contract Documents.

Councilmembers Eric Friedman; Alejandra Gutierrez, Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Kristen W. Sneddon; Mayor Cathy Murillo

11.

Instructions to Bidders. All bidders should carefully review the Instructions to Bidders for more detailed information before submitting a Bid Proposal. The definitions provided in Article 1 of the General Conditions apply to all of the Contract Documents, as defined therein, including this Notice Inviting Bids.

NOES:

None

ABSENT:

None

ABSTENTIONS:

None

12.

11.

Mandatory Bidders’ Conference. A bidders’ conference will be held on Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., online via a videoconference for the purpose of acquainting all prospective bidders with the Contract Documents and the Worksite. The bidders’ conference is mandatory. A bidder who fails to attend a mandatory bidders’ conference will be disqualified from bidding. Login information for the pre-bid meeting will be posted on PlanetBids.

13.

Specific Brands. Pursuant to referenced provision(s) of Public Contract Code section 3400(c), City has found that the following specific brands are required for the following particular material(s), product(s), thing(s), or service(s), and no substitutions will be considered or accepted:

Item: Sump Pump Gate Valve Plug Valve Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) Conductivity Level Switch Magnetic Flowmeter Pressure Gauge Pressure Transmitter 14.

Required brand: Zoeller Mueller Co. Dezurik Cla-Val Warrick Controls Emerson, Rosemount Dixon (liquid filled) Rosemount

Reference: 11312J 15115 15116 15118 17201 17302 17405 17405

Proposition 1 Round 1 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Implementation Grant. The project is at least partially funded by an IRWM grant and Contractor is required to comply with requirements listed in the Special Conditions.

By:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Santa Barbara on March 24, 2021.

/s/ Sarah P. Gorman, MMC City Clerk Services Manager I HEREBY APPROVE the foregoing ordinance on March 24, 2021.

Date:

/s/ Cathy Murillo Mayor

William Hornung, C.P.M, General Services Manager Publication Dates: 1) 3/31/21 2) 4/7/21 END OF NOTICE INVITING BIDS

8 – 15 April 2021

• The Voice of the Village •

Published April 7, 2021 Montecito Journal

MONTECITO JOURNAL

37

Notice Inviting Bids HSIP WEST CARRILLO LIGHTING AND SIGNAL UPGRADE PROJECT Bid No. 3962

PUBLIC NOTICE City of Santa Barbara Proposed Two-Year Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, Including Recommended Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Santa Barbara has scheduled Public Hearings to consider the Proposed TwoYear Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, including the Recommended Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2022. The Council will review departmental budgets, as well as proposed adjustments to fees and charges. All hearings will be in accordance with the City’s meeting procedures during the COVID-19 emergency, and may be held exclusively by teleconference or other electronic meeting format. Please see the front page of council agenda packet for instructions on how to participate. The dates and times are as follows: • • • • •

• •

• •

•

Monday, May 3, 2021, 1:30 p.m. - Budget consideration of Library Department and Airport Department; Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – Budget consideration of Fire Department, Information Technology Department, and Waterfront Department; Friday, May 7, 2021, 9:00 a.m. - Budget consideration of City Administrator’s Office and Mayor & Council, Human Resources Department, and Finance Department; Monday, May 10, 2021, 1:30 p.m. - Budget consideration of Parks & Recreation Department (including Creeks and Golf Funds); Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 9:00 a.m. - Budget consideration of Community Development Department* and Successor Agency, and Sustainability & Resilience Department; *(Data relied upon to support the changes to the fees and charges of the Community Development Department will be made available to the public no later than May 7, 2021 and can be accessed by following the link to www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/cd/feestudy.asp or by telephoning the Community Development Department at (805) 564-5504.)

Thursday, May 20, 2021, 1:30 p.m. - Budget consideration of Police Department and City Attorney’s Office; Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 9:00 a.m. - Budget consideration of Public Works Department* and General Fund / Measure C Capital; *(Data relied upon to support the changes to the fees and charges of the Public Works Department will be made available to the public no later than May 14, 2021 and can be accessed by following the link to www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/cd/feestudy.asp or by telephoning the Public Works Department at (805) 564-5377.)

Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 6:00 p.m. - City Council deliberations; Tuesday June, 15, 2021, 2:00 p.m. - Public hearing on proposed increases to Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste rates (see separate mailed notice and instructions for filing protests) Data relied upon to support proposed increases will be made available to the public no later than April 9, 2021 at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WaterRateChanges and www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Recycling; and Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 2:00 p.m. - Budget adoption.

Additional hearings may be added as needed. All public hearing dates and times are subject to change. Any changes will be posted on the City of Santa Barbara webpage located at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

Members of the public are invited to attend, and interested persons desiring to be heard shall be given an opportunity to address the City Council during the public hearings at the above-referenced dates and times. Written comments are welcome and should be addressed to the City Council via the City Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990 and as stated on the agendas for each meeting. All hearings will be held in conjunction with special meetings of the City Council dedicated to the public review of the budget. Members of the public may present comments or protests regarding any aspects of a fee or charge at the public hearing. If you later challenge a fee or charge in court, you may be limited to the grounds stated either orally or in writing at the public hearing.

A schedule of public hearing meeting topics, which is subject to change on short notice, will be available beginning on April 20, 2021, on the City’s website at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

The City Council is scheduled to adopt Two-Year Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, including the Recommended Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, during the 2:00 p.m. regular City Council session.

Copies of the Two-Year Financial Plan will be available on the City’s website at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov. For more information, contact the Finance Department at 564-5334.

Copies of fee resolutions with proposed changes will be available for public review on April 20, 2021, at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Budget.

Click on Proposed Two-Year Financial Plan for Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023. For more information on receiving hard copies, contact the Finance Department at 564-5334.

1.

Bid Submission. The City of Santa Barbara (“City”) will accept electronic bids for its HSIP West Carrillo Lighting and Signal Upgrade Project (“Project”), by or before April 29, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., through its PlanetBids portal. Bidders must be registered on the City of Santa Barbara’s PlanetBids portal in order to submit a Bid proposal and to receive addendum notifications. Each bidder is responsible for making certain that its Bid Proposal is actually submitted/uploaded with sufficient time to be received by PlanetBids prior to the bid opening date and time. Large files may take more time to be submitted/uploaded to PlanetBids, so plan accordingly... The receiving time on the PlanetBids server will be the governing time for acceptability of bids.

Telegraphic, telephonic, hardcopy, and facsimile bids will not be accepted.

If any Addendum issued by the City is not acknowledged online by the Bidder, the PlanetBids System will prevent the Bidder from submitting a Bid Proposal.

Bidders are responsible for obtaining all addenda from the City’s PlanetBids portal.

Bid results and awards will be available on PlanetBids. Bids will be called out on Zoom at 4:00 pm on April 27, 2021 Join Zoom Meeting. Link is also available on PlanetBids. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82990466653?pwd=RFpQN2dhRWRIOEFVamVSSGhFV2Fmdz09 Meeting ID: 829 9046 6653 Passcode: 80dGTS 2.

Project Information.

2.1 Location and Description. The Project is located on Carrillo Street between Miramonte Drive and Bath Street and is described as follows: Install lighting corridor on Carrillo from Miramonte Drive to Bath Street, reconstruct the curb ramps and splitter island, relocate and upgrade traffic signals, construct a new splitter island, relocate two catch basins and associated storm drain, and install bio retention basins with landscape at the intersection of Carrillo and San Andres; reconstruct curb ramps and install a new median island and mid block crossing at the intersection of Carrillo and San Pascual, and perform a four inch grind and overlay on Carrillo from the west side of San Andres to the west side of Chapala Street 2.2 Time for Completion. The Project must be completed within 115 working days from the start date set forth in the Notice to Proceed. City anticipates that the Work will begin on or about May 15, 2021, but the anticipated start date is provided solely for convenience and is neither certain nor binding.

2.3 Estimated Cost. The estimated construction cost is $2,700,000.

3.

License and Registration Requirements.

3.1 License. This Project requires a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): A

3.2 DIR Registration. City may not accept a Bid Proposal from or enter into the Contract with a bidder, without proof that the bidder is registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code § 1725.5, subject to limited legal exceptions.

4.

Contract Documents. The plans, specifications, bid forms and contract documents for the Project, and any addenda thereto (“Contract Documents”) may be downloaded from City’s website at: http://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=29959 The Project and its contract documents will be available on the City’s PlanetBids Portal starting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. A printed copy of the Contract Documents may be obtained from CyberCopy Shop, located at 504 N. Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, at (805) 884-6155.

5.

Bid Security. The Bid Proposal must be accompanied by bid security of ten percent of the maximum bid amount, in the form of a cashier’s or certified check made payable to City, or a bid bond executed by a surety licensed to do business in the State of California on the Bid Bond form included with the Contract Documents. The bid security must guarantee that within ten days after City issues the Notice of Award, the successful bidder will execute the Contract and submit the payment and performance bonds, insurance certificates and endorsements, and any other submittals required by the Contract Documents and as specified in the Notice of Award.

6.

Prevailing Wage Requirements.

6.1 General. Pursuant to California Labor Code § 1720 et seq., this Project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the Work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the Work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes.

6.2 Rates. These prevailing rates are on file with the City and are available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the Project. The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

6.3 Compliance. The Contract will be subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the DIR, under Labor Code § 1771.4.

7.

Performance and Payment Bonds. The successful bidder will be required to provide performance and payment bonds, each for 100% of the Contract Price, as further specified in the Contract Documents.

8.

Substitution of Securities. Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted under Public Contract Code § 22300.

9.

Subcontractor List. Each Subcontractor must be registered with the DIR to perform work on public projects. Each bidder must submit a completed Subcontractor List form with its Bid Proposal, including the name, location of the place of business, California contractor license number, DIR registration number, and percentage of the Work to be performed (based on the base bid price) for each Subcontractor that will perform Work or service or fabricate or install Work for the prime contractor in excess of one-half of 1% of the bid price, using the Subcontractor List form included with the Contract Documents.

10.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Bidders are advised that, as required by federal law, the State has established a statewide overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal. This Agency federal-aid contract is considered to be part of the statewide overall DBE goal. The Agency is required to report to Caltrans on DBE participation for all federal-aid contracts each year so that attainment efforts may be evaluated. This Agency federal-aid contract has a goal of 10% DBE participation.

11.

Instructions to Bidders. All bidders should carefully review the Instructions to Bidders for more detailed information before submitting a Bid Proposal. The definitions provided in Article 1 of the General Conditions apply to all of the Contract Documents, as defined therein, including this Notice Inviting Bids.

12.

Bidders are advised that this project is a Federal-Aid construction project and the Contractor shall agree to all requirements, condition, and provisions set forth in the specification book issues for bidding purposes entitled “Proposal and Contract”. Attention is directed to Appendix B of the “Proposal and Contract” specification book for federal requirements and conditions as well as documents required to be submitted with this proposal request. This project is subject to the “Buy America” provisions of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 as amended by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Bidders are hereby notified that pursuant to provisions of Section 1770, et seq., of the Labor Code of the State of California, the Contractor shall pay its employees the general prevailing rate of wages as determined by the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. In addition, the Contractor shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of Section 1777.5 of the California Labor Code relating to apprentice public works contracts.

13.

Pursuant to Section 1773 of the Labor Code, the general prevailing wage rates in the county in which the work is to be done have been determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. These wages are set forth in the General Prevailing Wage Rates for this Project, available at the City of Santa Barbara, General Services Manager, Purchasing Office, 310 E. Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, California, and available from the California Department of Industrial Relations' Internet web site at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR/PWD. The Federal minimum wage rates for this Project as predetermined by the United States Secretary of Labor are set forth in the specifications and in copies of these specifications that may be examined at the offices described above where project plans, special provisions, and bid forms may be seen. Addenda to modify the Federal minimum wage rates, if necessary, will be issued to holders of these specifications. Future effective general prevailing wage rates, which have been predetermined and are on file with the California Department of Industrial Relations are referenced but not printed in the general prevailing wage rates.

Agendas and Staff Reports for City Council meetings are available 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CAP. Agendas are publicly posted at City Hall located at 735 Anacapa Street.

Attention is directed to the Federal minimum wage requirements in the specification book entitled "Proposal and Contract." Addenda to modify the Federal minimum wage rates, if necessary, will be issued to holders of the "Proposal and Contract" specification books. Future effective general prevailing wage rates, which have been predetermined and are on file with the California Department of Industrial Relations are referenced but not printed in the general prevailing wage rates.

Meetings of the Council are broadcast live and rebroadcast on City TV Channel 18 (broadcast schedule is available at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTV. These meetings can also be viewed over the Internet at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Council/Videos.

If there is a difference between the minimum wage rates predetermined by the Secretary of Labor and the general prevailing wage rates determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations for similar classifications of labor, the Contractor and Subcontractors shall pay not less than the higher wage rate. The City of Santa Barbara will not accept lower State wage rates not specifically included in the Federal minimum wage determinations.

This includes "helper" (or other classifications based on hours of experience) or any other classification not appearing in the Federal wage determinations.

Where Federal wage determinations do not contain the State wage determination otherwise available for use by the Contractor and Subcontractors, the Contractor and Subcontractors shall pay not less than the Federal Minimum wage rate which most closely approximates the duties of the employees in question.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to gain access to, comment at, or participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's Office at 564-5305 or inquire at the City Clerk's Office on the day of the meeting. If possible, notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements in most cases.

Published April 7, 2021 Montecito Journal

38 MONTECITO JOURNAL

By: ___________________________________

Date: ________________

William Hornung, C.P.M., General Services Manager Publication Dates: 1) April 7, 2021

2) April 14, 2021 END OF NOTICE INVITING BIDS

“When Art becomes a Science it is no longer an Art.” – Kevin James

8 – 15 April 2021

MONTECITO PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING* DATE OF HEARING:

APRIL 21, 2021

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health and the California Governor's Stay at Home Executive Order N-33-20, issued on March 19, 2020, to protect the health and well-being of all Californian’s and to establish consistency across the state in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission hearings will no longer provide in-person participation.

We have established alternative methods of participation in the Montecito Planning Commission hearings, pursuant to the California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020, which states: • •

Providing an opportunity to “observe and address the meeting telephonically or otherwise electronically,” alone, meets the participation requirement; and “Such a body need not make available any physical location from which members of the public may observe the meeting and offer public comment.”

The following alternative methods of participation are available to the public: 1.

You may observe the live stream of the Montecito Planning Commission meetings on (1) Local Cable Channel 20, (2) online at: http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/csbtv/livestream.sbc; or (3) YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/CSBTV20

2.

If you wish to make a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, the following methods are available: • •

Distribution to the Montecito Planning Commission - Submit your comment via email prior to 12:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the Commission hearing. Please submit your comment to the Recording Secretary at sfoster@countyofsb.org. Your comment will be placed into the record and distributed appropriately.

Video and Teleconference Public Participation – To participate via Zoom, please pre-register for the meeting using the below link.

When: April 21, 2021 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Topic: Montecito Planning Commission 04/21/2021 Register in advance for this webinar: https://countyofsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_76fQGR92TdmQBkEsZUrlIQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

OR PARTICIPATE VIA TELEPHONE: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 213 338 8477 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 720 928 9299 or +1 971 247 1195 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 602 753 0140 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 470 250 9358 or +1 646 518 9805 or +1 651 372 8299 or +1 786 635 1003 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 267 831 0333 or +1 301 715 8592 or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free) or 888 475 4499 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0282 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 947 7634 9528 The Commission’s rules on hearings and public comment, unless otherwise directed by the Chair, remain applicable to each of the participation methods listed above.

The Montecito Planning Commission hearing begins at 9:00 a.m. The order of items listed on the agenda is subject to change by the Montecito Planning Commission. Anyone interested in this matter is invited to speak in support or in opposition to the projects. Written comments are also welcome. All letters should be addressed to the Montecito Planning Commission, 123 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, California, 93101. Letters, with nine copies, and computer materials, e.g. PowerPoint presentations, should be filed with the secretary of the Planning Commission no later than 12:00 P.M. on the Friday before the Montecito Planning Commission hearing. The decision to accept late materials will be at the discretion of the Montecito Planning Commission.

Maps and/or staff analysis of the proposals may be reviewed at https://www.countyofsb.org/plndev/hearings/mpc.sbc or by appointment by calling (805) 5682000.

If you challenge the project(s) 19DVP-00000-00036, 19TPM-00000-00006, 20LUP-00000-00455, 20RMM-00000-00002 in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence to the Montecito Planning Commission prior to the public hearing.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this hearing, please contact the Hearing Support Staff (805) 568-2000. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the hearing will enable the Hearing Support Staff to make reasonable arrangements. * This is a partial listing of the items to be heard at the Montecito Planning Commission Hearing of April 21, 2021.

19TPM-00000-00006 Exempt, CEQA Guidelines Section 15315

Miradero Lot Split

809 Park Lane Alex Tuttle, Supervising Planner (805) 884-6844 Travis Lee, Planner (805) 568-2046 Hearing on the request of Gregg Crawford, Property Owner and Applicant, to consider Case No. 19TPM-00000-00006 for approval of a Tentative Parcel Map in compliance with County Code Chapter 21 to reconfigure two legal lots of 15.238 and 1.703 acres into three legal lots of 5.637, 5.341, and 5.962 acres, on property zoned 5-E-1; and to determine the project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15315. The application involves Assessor Parcel No. 007-050-032, located at 809 Park Lane, in the Montecito area, First Supervisorial District.

20LUP-00000-00455 Exempt, CEQA Guidelines Section 15303

Westmont Warehouse

955 La Paz Road Tess Harris, Supervising Planner (805) 568-3319 Willow Brown, Planner (805) 568-2040 The applicant, Westmont College, is requesting a determination by the Montecito Planning Commission that the preliminary design and Land Use Permit for Phase III is consistent with the Master Plan Buildout.

Westmont College would like to begin construction of Phase III of the Westmont Master Plan. Phase III consists of the construction of a new 5,015 square foot, two-story warehouse and shop space. Pursuant to the Montecito Land Use and Development Code (MLUDC), Section 35.472.110.D, the Director is the review authority for the warehouse Land Use Permit; however, this project is triggering Phase III of construction for the Westmont Master Plan Build-out.

Condition No. 20 of the Westmont College Master Plan CUP Revision (Case No. 14RVP-00000-00091) states: For buildout of subsequent construction phases following Phase I, the Montecito Board of Architectural Review (MBAR) shall review the construction phase preliminary plans and make a recommendation to the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC) regarding consistency with the Campus Master Plan. Following recommendation from the MBAR, the MPC shall hold at least one public hearing for a determination on whether the preliminary design and Zoning Clearance or Land Use Permit for that phase of construction are consistent with the Westmont College Campus Master Plan. Such a Montecito Planning Commission determination shall be a prerequisite to the Planning & Development Director’s later issuance of the Zoning Clearance or Land Use Permit for that phase of construction or any portion of a phase of construction.

Condition No. 20 requires that the Montecito Planning Commission determine that the preliminary design and Land Use Permit for each phase is consistent with the Master Plan Buildout. Once the Montecito Planning Commission makes a determination, the Director will take action on the Land Use Permit for the construction phase. The application involves Assessor Parcel No. 013-080-007, located at 955 La Paz Road, in the Montecito Community Plan area, First Supervisorial District. (Estimated Time: 30 min.)

20RMM-00000-00002 Exempt, CEQA Guidelines Section 15305

1719 East Valley Road Alex Tuttle, Supervising Planner (805) 884-6844 Delaney Roney, Planner (805) 568-2033 Hearing on the request of Bob Easton, agent for the owner Robert Massey, to consider Case No. 20RMM-00000-00002 [application filed on September 8, 2020], for a Recorded Map Modification to modify an existing building envelope from Tract Map 13,877 in compliance with County Code Chapter 21, Section 21-15.9 on property zoned PRD (Planned Residential Development) to allow for expansion of the building envelope from 6,577 square feet to 12,394 square feet; and to determine the project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 [Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations]. The application involves Assessor Parcel No. 007-540-012, located at 1719 East Valley Road, in the Montecito Community Plan area, First Supervisorial District.

Published April 7, 2021 Montecito Journal

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: Motion Unlimited, PO Box 20275, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. Motion Unlimited, PO Box 20275, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of

8 – 15 April 2021

Maison Map Modification

MONTECITO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION RECORDING SECRETARY (568-2000)

Santa Barbara County on April 1, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No.

2021-0000926. Published April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JM Enterprises, 1187 Coast Village RD, Suite 413, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Julian S Memi, 1187 Coast Vil-

lage RD, Suite 413, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on March 10, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct

• The Voice of the Village •

copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0000661. Published March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Montecito Executive Services, 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 42, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Mary L Ortega, 6180 Via Real #70, Carpinteria, CA 93013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on March 26, 2021.

This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0000859. Published March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: Rio Market Wine and Spirit, 1051 Edison St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460. Mitch Elian Samaan, 2621 W Highway 154, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.

Moris Samaan, 3548 Glen Abbey Ln, Oxnard, CA 93036. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on March 12, 2021.

This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0000703. Published March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Zacarias JL Trucking, 220 Calle Cesar E Chavez Apt 45 Guadalupe, CA 93434. Zacarias JL Trucking INC, 220 Calle Cesar E Chavez Apt 45 Guadalupe, CA 93434. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on March 12, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No.

2021-0000706. Published March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Rodriguez Strategies, 2020 Creekside Road, Montecito, CA 93108.

Rodriguez Strategies, 2020 Creekside Road, Montecito, CA 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on March 10, 2021.

This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0000650. Published March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: LOVENOPAIN.COM LLC, 280 Old Mill Road, Apt 67, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. LOVENOPAIN.COM LLC, 5142 Hollister Avenue Number 552, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on March 8, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL).

FBN No. 2021-0000620.

Published March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 2021 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Forest Farm Music + Art, 1008 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Charles Lloyd, 1008 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.

Dorothy Darr, 1008 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on February 26, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL).

FBN No. 2021-0000532.

Published March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 2021

MONTECITO JOURNAL

39

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USE YOUR CAMERA'S PHONE TO SCAN, LEARN & ACT DON'T LET THIS...

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“I never played music, but it’s an important thing … the studying, the inspiration.” – Kevin James

8 – 15 April 2021

HOUSING BILLS SEEK TO DESTROY SINGLE-FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS

Troubling Senate Bills 9 & 10 are making their way through the

Did you know

CALIFORNIA WANTS TO ELIMINATE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES? How would you feel if

YOUR NEIGHBOR PUT 8 UNITS OF HOUSING NEXT DOOR, WITH NO APPROVALS REQUIRED, AND NO PARKING REQUIREMENTS?

How would you feel if

(courtesy of United Neighbors)

YOUR NEIGHBOR PUT UP A 10-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING NEXT TO YOU?

legislature now, pushed by Senators Atkins and Weiner, who are also known to have serious financial ties to big real estate and development forces. These bills are pitched as ‘creating needed affordable housing’. What they are is a massive giveaway to developers and real estate speculators.

Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) allows this with lot splits and duplexes where the original home once stood, on EACH lot. ADUs and Jr ADUs would still be allowed. Where a single-family residential home once stood, 8 units can be built, with 4 foot setbacks.

The bill requires strictly ministerial approvals, the same as with ADUs today.

Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) allows this on any lot in an area that is ‘high opportunity’ - either jobs-rich or would enable shorter commute distances. A lot of folks commute through this region to get to jobs in other regions, like Venturans who work in Santa Barbara, Goletans who work in Carpinteria, etc. Under that loose definition, every neighborhood could qualify as a prime place to host 10-unit buildings on single family lots!

Again, ministerial approval is all that’s needed, under SB 10.

NO Infrastructure improvements required MINIMAL parking requirements that leverage on-street parking EIGHT new units per lot 10 UNIT apartment complexes could go up next to you NO hearings ULTIMATELY DOES NOT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING montecitoassociation.org + unitedneighbors.net

8 – 15 April 2021

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

41

Our Town (Continued from page 30 30)) and starting new businesses. I am glad that we stayed open during the Thomas Fire, mudslide, and pandemic because I think that post offices are ‘essential’ and I am glad that Read ‘N Post has hosted a contract station for so many years.”

Carol Finston,

who worked at the post office, says, “I have worked at Read ‘N Post for four years. One of the sweetest memories I have is when a customer came in to buy stamps. While purchasing her stamps she noticed the letter advising we were closing, and she started to cry.

She explained to me that she had met her husband here at the store three years ago and that they now have a six-month-old little girl. She said they had always agreed to buy their anniversary cards here to remind them where they met and how sad she was that we would not be here.

“I will definitely miss working with a great bunch of co-workers, and all the friendly customers I have come to know. I would also like to say that Jan has been awesome to work for and with. I want to thank her for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to work at Read ‘N Post. I have had a lot of fun working here and I will miss everyone!”

Gerardo Marcos Ocampo,

shares, “I started out working at Read ‘N Post the last week of November, helping with the busy season and then I stayed on. Although I was only here for a couple of months, it was nice to see how close this community actually is. I grew up in a small town, population 10,000, and working at the Read ‘N Post made it feel like I was working back home. I will miss making those connections with customers but I will always have a fond memory of the Montecito residents. Thank you for welcoming me.

“This was all abrupt, so I am not sure what exactly is next for me. I want to thank Jan and John for believing in me, a DACA individual, and for the opportunity to stay employed during these tough times. I hope to be able to use my accounting bachelor’s degree more in my next opportunity.”

John Devereaux requested his story

be last in the line up. Speaking in his soft-spoken Tennessee accent, he says, “Twenty years ago, I was looking for a part-time job and saw an ad in the paper for work at a small post office in Montecito. It sounded like something I might enjoy. I went in for an interview with Jan Hendrickson, the manager. She proved herself to be a woman equally as wise as Chaucer.

She hired me on the spot. As a boy, I remember riding the train to stay with my grandmother’s sisters in the town of Cedar Hill, Tennessee. Cedar

42 MONTECITO JOURNAL

The Read ‘N Post Team, from left: Carol Finston, Wendy Hawksworth, John Devereaux, Jan Hendrickson, Eva Barta, Robin Machado, and Gerardo Marcos Ocampo

Hill had a Baptist Church, a smaller Methodist Church, and an even smaller post office, where we would walk every day to get the mail. Working at Read ‘N Post brought back those small-town memories of friendly people buying stamps and mailing packages. The packages these days aren’t wrapped with brown twine, but otherwise what happens at Read ‘N Post is a lot like my memories of the Cedar Hill post office.

“In 2012, when Read ‘N Post moved across two parking lots to its current location in the Montecito Country Mart, Jan became principal owner of the business and I bought a small part. It was perfect for me – owner of a small part of a small store and a small post office in a small town. I could close my eyes and imagine being in Cedar Hill again, but with no-lick stamps at the post office and indoor plumbing at home.

“As the faces of friendly customers at Read ‘N Post have changed over the past twenty years, customer tastes have been changing too. More people are reading magazines and newspapers on computer screens, sending birthday and graduation greetings

by email, and paying bills online.

Read ‘N Post began to have modest sales declines every year. Then came a series of more significant problems. Our magazine distributor went bankrupt and left us without new issues for several weeks. The terrible Thomas Fire in December 2017 and Montecito debris flow in 2018 combined to leave hundreds of empty homes in Montecito, homes where our friends and customers had lived.

Their devastating losses were much, much worse than ours. But the financial damage to Read ‘N Post’s bottom line was serious. And then came COVID-19.

“When Jan – who long ago proved what a wise person she is – and I reviewed our options, closing Read ‘N Post became the only feasible choice.

Breaking the news to our loyal customers and to our staff has been the worst part. Eva, Wendy, Carol, Robin, Don, and Gerardo are all talented, experienced, and very dedicated employees for whom the closure of Read ‘N Post is definitely not their fault. But the same qualities that have made them so appreciated by our customers will surely buoy them as they decide what

“Every time I do a movie where it gets physical, I say never again.” – Kevin James

to do next. As we prepare to close the store, we decided to have a ‘Spring Sale of Good-Bye and Gratitude’ because those words sum up the feelings we have for our staff, our customers, and our neighbors in Montecito Country Mart. We’ve had good years here!

When Montecito Mercantile opens soon, we hope they will experience the same friendliness and warmth that has meant so much to us.

“When I think back over my years with Read ‘N Post, many happy experiences come to mind. There’s a no-nonsense lady who sometimes mails packages to her kinfolk in North Dakota. When I told her once that she probably has sent more mail to North Dakota than anybody else in Montecito, she immediately said: ‘It’s a heck of a lot better to mail things to North Dakota than to live there!” Except I don’t think she said “heck.”

“The phrase ‘All good things must come to an end,’ is attributed to 14th century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Chaucer was right, but his emphasis was wrong. Read ‘N Post is coming to an end. Read ‘N Post has been a very good thing.”

•MJ 8 – 15 April 2021

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8 – 15 April 2021

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

43

Village Beat (Continued from page 32 32)) improvements, a bird deterrent and protection plan was created by state and independent biologists focused on the cormorants. The multi-tiered plan began with monitoring, then removal of old nests outside of nesting season when birds were not present, visual deterrents (such as the predator balloons, which are in the trees currently), and auditory deterrents prior to and during nesting season. “The goal is to protect the habitat area in the long term but temporarily encourage birds to find suitable nesting areas outside of the construction zone,” Ayars said.

Ayars said that the auditory deterrent plan, which includes air blasts that go off in the trees, did not initially disrupt nearby residents, but because the birds’ activity in the trees has increased, the air blasts were increased, which began disrupting the neighbors. “We have a very large group of people working on this project. We updated the plan last week and the strategy is to shift the plan to be more dependent on visual and human deterrents,” Ayars said. “The new plan seems to be working, but we have to continue to monitor it.”

Drivers and nearby residents can expect to see biologists monitoring the area daily and tree crews rotating visual deterrents. Climbers will also be switching out the use of mylar flash tape for other visual deterrents, including owl silhouettes.

“Our priorities are to build this important project, protect the environment, and be a good neighbor. This is a challenging situation with many variables to consider. We are refocusing our efforts to be a better neighbor and will continue to make sure we are effective. It is also important to keep in mind that if this plan doesn’t work, we could be looking at an additional year of construction and cost to taxpayers up to $10 million,” said Joe Erwin, Highway 101 Corridor Manager at Caltrans District 5.

The Land Use Committee also discussed another Caltrans project, this one on Highway 192. Diane Dostalek of Caltrans reported that this summer, the agency is repaving Highway 192 from Cold Spring Road to Toro Canyon. The plan is to replace two inches of asphalt along the road, which was badly damaged during the 1/9 debris flow. The work will include one-way traffic reversing, and will take place Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm and Fridays 8 am to 2 pm, for about a month’s worth of work. The project is expected to start in June.

The Committee also discussed the progress of the walking paths in Montecito, which were the topic of some heated social media posts in the last week. MA executive director Sharon Byrne reported that a recent

44 MONTECITO JOURNAL

survey of MA members showed that the majority of the survey participants are in favor of the pathways, but have concerns over landscaping and maintenance. “We gleaned a lot of positive information from the survey,” she said. The survey was sent out following last month’s Land Use Committee meeting, when several members of the community voiced concern that the paths, which were built in the County right-of-way and beautified by the Bucket Brigade, looked too much like sidewalks, which is against the Montecito Community Plan.

According to several social media posts, some people found the survey to be “elitist” and “anti-trail.”

Abe Powell, founder of the Bucket Brigade and the “Walk Montecito!” campaign, reported that the trails along Hot Springs Road, both the finished area on lower Hot Springs and the upcoming County-led project on upper Hot Springs, will be the last area for formal trails, but that his group of volunteers is continuing to work on “informal trails” to connect local schools including Cold Spring, MUS, Laguna Blanca, Mt. Carmel, and Cleveland. “Our goal is to have a safer and more connected community, in the near future,” Powell said.

Powell said the Bucket Brigade is two weeks out from launching a $2.1M capital campaign for the walking path project, which would earmark $550K for trail maintenance. “Our vision is to create a community where families, schools, and churches are connected to parks, beaches, and businesses within the Montecito community,” Powell said. Dozens of his supporters were on the Land Use Committee Zoom call in support of Powell and his volunteers, who have worked tirelessly in building recent walking paths on North Jameson, Olive Mill, and Hot Springs.

The Montecito Association Board of Directors meets next week, on Tuesday at 4 pm. For more information, visit www.montecitoassociation.org.

Gorjana Opens in Montecito

Contemporary jewelry store Gorjana has opened on Coast Village Road, bringing its popular mid-priced and fine jewelry to Montecito. Founded in 2004, the Laguna Beach-based jewelry brand is owned by wife and husband team Gorjana and Jason Griffin Reidel, who set out to build a casual jewelry line that was “quintessential California.”

Originating from the living room of the couple’s first apartment, the company’s popularity has steadily soared over the years, and as of 2021 the jewelry can be found in over 1,000 retailers nationwide, as well as standalone stores on both coasts. Opening their first location in Laguna Beach in 2016,

The space on Coast Village Road is airy, beachy, and light, reflective of the jewelry brand’s casual and bohemian aesthetic (photo courtesy Gorjana)

mian aesthetic. The homey space reflects the beachy, Orange County lifestyle where the company originated; the jewelry collections are meant to be stacked, layered, and lived-in.

Last year, the brand began offering fine jewelry, which is now available at the Montecito store. “There is something for everyone,” Reidel said.

“We’ve found that our customers like to have options with what they wear, whether fashion or fine jewelry, or a mix of both.”

Gorjana is located at 1273 Coast Village Road. For more information, visit www.gorjana.com.

Easter at Montecito Country Mart

Wife and husband team, Gorjana and Jason Griffin Reidel, have opened their 19th jewelry store in Montecito (photo courtesy Gorjana)

the couple and their team have opened 17 additional locations in the last four years, including in Irvine, Venice, Century City, Malibu, Long Beach, La Jolla, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Brooklyn, and Scottsdale, among others. Montecito is their 19th store, and the brand continues to grow.

The Montecito location, which is in the space formerly occupied by Sepi Consignment, features coastal design elements and a welcoming, airy space that owner Jason Griffin Reidel tells us was a dream location. “We have always loved the Santa Barbara and Montecito area, and have been looking to open a store here for some time,” he says, adding that the jewelry line was once sold at Blue Bee on State Street, as well as the now-closed Nordstrom in Paseo Nuevo. “We’ve known we have a large customer base here, and we are happy to be able to bring the product to our customers,” he said.

Hand-picked crystals, from Gorjana herself, are showcased on a power gemstone collection wall where guests can learn about the meaning behind each stone. The line’s complete collection of necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets will be shoppable throughout the store, which has a light, bohe-

“I just want to put some positive stuff out there. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, no problem.” - Kevin James

Jeffrey Alan Marks and Greg Marks with their daughter, James Marks

This past Saturday, Montecito Country Mart hosted a socially-distant photo op with the Easter Bunny, welcoming more than 200 families over the course of the day. County Line Florals created an Easter floral backdrop for the photo moment, and popped up with their 1965 VW Transporter, Betty, with Easter blooms for the day.

All proceeds from the event benefitted non-profit Baby2Baby.

•MJ 8 – 15 April 2021

DINE OUTSIDE |TAKE-OUT Montecito Journal wants to let readers know who’s offering a taste of spring with take-out and delivery service and outdoor dining.

We encourage you to support your local dining venues and wine boutiques!

‘ LUCKY S STEAKS - CHOPS - SEAFOOD - COCKTAILS 1279 COAST VILLAGE ROAD (805) 565-7540

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D’ANGELO BREAD 8 – 15 April 2021

7am to 2pm

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Excellent references. www.BiographyDavidWilk.com

46 MONTECITO JOURNAL

ITEMS FOR SALE TRESOR We Buy, Sell and Broker Important Estate Jewelry. Located in the upper village of Montecito. Graduate Gemologists with 30 years of experience. We do free evaluations and private consultation.

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TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

It’s Simple. Charge is $2 per line, each line with 31 characters.

Minimum is $8 per week/issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue.

Email text to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860 and we will respond with a cost.

Deadline for inclusion is Monday before 2 pm.

We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex “I make my life a living hell by writing complex stories with complex characters. But I love it.” – Kevin James

Vintage and Better quality costume jewelry. Victorian to Now including silver and ethnic/tribal jewelry and beads. Call Julia (805) 563-7373 Over 25 Years in Montecito

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ADVERTISE IN THE LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY (805) 565-1860 Just Good Doggies

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TA K E A V I R T U A L T O U R T O D AY

© 2021 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

BHHSCALIFORNIA.COM

296 LAS ENTRADAS DR, MONTECITO UPPER 6BD/11BA • $26,500,000 Nancy Kogevinas, 805.450.6233 LIC# 01209514

1147 HILL RD, MONTECITO LOWER 4BD/5BA • $10,950,000 Nancy Kogevinas, 805.450.6233 LIC# 01209514

663 LILAC DR, MONTECITO 5BD/9BA • $7,950,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247

210 BUTTERFLY LN, MONTECITO 5BD/6+(2)½BA • $7,500,000 Daniel Encell, 805.565.4896 LIC# 00976141

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2081 CHINA FLAT RD, MONTECITO LOWER 4BD/4½BA • $4,295,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247

595 FREEHAVEN DR, MONTECITO 5BD/4½BA • $3,950,000 Nancy Kogevinas / Ken Switzer, 805.450.6233 / 805.680.4622 LIC# 01209514 / 01245644

1424 LA VEREDA LN, MONTECITO LOWER 4BD/5BA • $3,450,000 The Easter Team, 805.455.6294 LIC# 00917775

1121 CIMA LINDA LN, MONTECITO 4BD/3½BA • $3,295,000 Nancy Kogevinas, 805.450.6233 LIC# 01209514

1382 PLAZA PACIFICA, MONTECITO LOWER 2BD/2½BA • $2,795,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247

1705 GLEN OAKS DR, MONTECITO UPPER Land • $995,000 Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group, 805.565.4014 LIC# 01426886

1094 TORO CANYON RD, MONTECITO UPPER 45±acs • $850,000 Jody Neal / Kathy Strand Spieler, 805.895.6326 LIC# 01995725 / 00851281

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