MISCELLANY (Continued from page 6)
sive enclave’s major players. The battle royal centers on the proliferation of private wells over the past few years where permits have been issued for residences owned by Law & Order producer Dick Wolf and Friends creator David Crane. But it’s the neighborhood’s largest landowner, former TV talk-show titan Oprah Winfrey, who is reportedly causing the most controversy. Last year, as I exclusively revealed here, the communications tycoon spent nearly $29 million acquiring Seamair Farm, a 23-acre estate bordering her main 42-acre spread, the Promised Land, which she bought in 2001 for about $50 million from Robert and Marlene Veloz. Both of Oprah’s lush properties have wells, but a well drilled within the past 12 months for Seamair has triggered concerns among neighbors, one of whom is Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges, with some accusing her of hogging groundwater. “At first, our dealings with her were lovely and charming, and it has been really sad to think that they may not be so,” Jeff’s wife, Susan, tells the Hollywood Reporter. “I would love to find out what is going on up there. I don’t know who knows, because things are done and permits are applied for after the fact.” Oprah isn’t the only local resident
drawing scrutiny. Wolf has been engaged in a drawn-out fight over his 780-acre ranch in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. At issue is whether he has the right to extract water from the aquifer and sell it to other communities. His reps had no comment. Stay tuned. Golden Oldie
Wells Country Club with a glass of champagne and cake with friends and family. He has lived in the desert community since 1972 and has been a widower since his wife, Kay, died in 1990. “It is difficult given his longevity to choose an appropriate gift, but we gave him a bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream, which he loves,” says Gil. “He’s amazing for his age and,
Cory Story
Supercentenarian Larry Matthews celebrating his 111th birthday with Gil and Susan Rosas, and other family members
Larry Matthews, the still sprightly father-in-law of popular pianist Gil Rosas, just celebrated his 111th birthday, the oldest man in the U.S. Larry, who is father to 81-year-old Gil’s wife, Susan, 80, and a son, Steve Matthews, celebrated the milestone occasion at a boffo bash at the Indian
despite being hard of hearing, still has all his marbles. A great supercentenarian, a designation given to people who live past their 110th birthday.” The second-oldest man in America is Texan Richard Overton, who was born on May 11, 1906. From Screen to Page
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18 MONTECITO JOURNAL
Coast trying to break into filmland and falling for an elusive heiress. He’s charting the course of his own integrity.” Kia’s other works include the thriller Bond Hunter, a contemporary mystery Murder in Malibu, and, coming next year, Malibu Sheriff.
Kia McInerny launches latest novel
Montecito author Kia McInerny, a former attorney, has just published her latest book, Max in Filmland: A Lively Tale of ‘70s Euro Hollywood. “It took me 20 years to write,” she told me at a bijou book bash at Tecolote, the tony tome temple in the upper village.” I did many lengthy rewrites before I was satisfied. It oozes nostalgia.” The 300-page novel brought back many memories for me, given it mentions the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard, where I would stay when visiting from my Manhattan home, and a further along the ritzy rue, Le Dome, a Eurofluff eatery I would frequent with the likes of rockers Elton John and Rod Stewart. “It’s about a man from the East
• The Voice of the Village •
Cory Williams, a scoring dynamo
Bishop Diego student Cory Williams was a member of an equestrian quintet that made it to the U.S. Polo Association’s nationals at the Virginia Polo Center in Charlottesville. Cory’s saddle mates were Mia Sweeney, Andie Rupprecht, Petra Texeria, and Taylor Olcott, who defeated the Maui, Hawaii, team at the western regionals. The energetic amazons won their first match against the Midland Texas Polo Club, moving on to the semifinals where the girls played Maryland, last year’s champions, losing 21-7, with 16-year-old Cory scoring five of the goals. She was also one of four youngsters to earn All-Star status. Cory is in good company as Jake and Luke Klentner, sons of Santa Barbara Polo Club patron Justin Klentner, also attend Bishop Diego. Tall Tale It was a time for tall, very tall, stories when Visit Santa Barbara held its annual lunch at the Coral Casino with world renowned professional climber Kevin Jorgeson, who vanquished Yosemite’s 3,000-ft.-high Dawn Wall, part of the famous El Capitan granite monolith, two years ago. His vertigo-inducing recounting of the 19-day climb with partner Tommy Caldwell, complete with footage for a National Geographic TV special airing this summer and a new book The Push on the death defying venture, riveted the 200 guests in the La Pacifica ballroom. “You have to embrace you problems, not shy away,” said Jorgeson.
MISCELLANY Page 324 18 – 25 May 2017