In the Know
by Nick Masuda
Reflect. Restore. And Revival is Coming.
La Casa de Maria has stayed dormant since the Montecito Debris Flow, choosing to learn more about the land before redeveloping. More than three years later, it has a plan and a potential reopening date.
C
indy Faith Swain peeks through a chain-linked fence that was once completely unnecessary, as separation from San Ysidro Creek neighbors came in the form of a natural lushness that provided serenity for the retreat-goers at La Casa de Maria. Now one can hear the conversations of builders across that creek as homes are still being erected more than three years removed from the devastating Montecito Debris Flow. A few football fields away, there’s the sound of dump trucks as the Randall Road Debris Basin is built — also providing new ocean views for La Casa after multiple buildings on the 26-acre lot were destroyed by massive boulders, some of which remain. “It took about 18 minutes to wipe out 50 years of work that we’ve done on this property,” said Swain, La Casa’s director. It all acts as a reminder: La Casa doesn’t want to experience this again, so instead of rushing to reopen its doors, it has chosen to visit with
experts across multiple scientific fields to rebuild properly and appropriately. Hence why its doors along San Ysidro Lane have remained closed, with just three full-time employees remaining. There were roughly 35 prior to the debris flow. But there might be a finish line in sight — fundraising and county approvals not withstanding — as La Casa officials are readying themselves With the Randall Road Debris Basin being constructed in the background, La Casa de Maria still has plenty of remnants from the Montecito Debris Flow of 2018 (Photo by Nick Masuda) for a potential 2023 reopening. That’s a far cry from thinking it This specific area hadn’t been stud- and began $20 million in remediacould do so by Fall 2018. ied, so those answers weren’t readily tion, meanwhile learning what work “At the time, we were like, ‘We’re available. That meant calling a tim- needed to be done to avoid massive back in the fall.’ Right. I think we eout, working with researchers and destruction on its property moving were naive; we had this attitude that, attaining those answers. forward, hoping to never relive hav‘We’ve been here for decades, we can And the answers were sobering, ing to evacuate some 120 people in the get this done. It’s easy, right? How with the area having gone through matter of hours. bad could it be?’” explained Kathleen this type of debris flow every 50 to 60 And now Buczko and Swain have Buczko, the executive director of years, somewhat out of sight because identified a deadline of September the Immaculate Heart Community, there hadn’t been much development to get their rebuilding plans to the which provides La Casa de Maria the last time around. That forced La County, knowing that there will be programming. Casa’s hands, pushing it to look at the back-and-forth that will last through But some key questions arose though: land as a long-term project instead of the end of the year, not to mention Could a debris flow happen again? a series of short-term fixes. And how often has it happened? La Casa took its insurance money In the Know Page 404
Nourishing Muscle + Joint Salve + Grown, manufactured, and packaged in Santa Barbara County + Contains 400mg full-spectrum, pesticide-free cannabis grown on our family farm in Carpinteria + Anti-inflammatory CBD pairs with magnesium and arnica to reduce swelling, irritation, and bruising + Rich mineral magnesium also naturally helps to calm muscles, relieving stress for an improved sense of calm and rest. How does it make you feel: “Relaxed and pain-free but not groggy.” “Relieved joint pain.” “The salve helped relax a pain in my arm which had been there for months.” For Chronic Pain: “I have a significant shoulder injury and it provided immediate pain relief. It was temporary relief and the issue is chronic pain: I will continue to use it and it’s the best I’ve had. Not greasy and doesn’t have that strong smell.” + For Acute Pain Help: “My cancer has spread to my bones which is extremely painful, the salve takes away my pain. I didn’t think this pain relief was possible!” For Athletes: “I have used the salve on myself for muscle soreness post workouts and it worked like magic. I have also applied it to my husband’s neck when he was in pain and the pain was gone about 20 minutes later. The smell is amazing. The salve spreads easily with the warmth of one’s hands.” For General Muscle Pain: “Easy to spread but not too greasy. Great scent and really helped relieve muscle pain! Liked it so much, I shared it with a friend who was equally pleased with the results!”
For Arthritic Pain: “It has truly helped relieve my arthritic pain and I will continue to use the salve. Thank you!” For At-Home Care: “The salve is amazing. I love that it doesn’t smell or have that cooling effect of peppermint or menthol. I used it on my arm that has had pain down it for months. I rubbed it in and it lasted for over a day…” For Age-related Chronic Pain: “Both my husband & I have age-related aches & pains. Both of us have been using this salve & we are impressed with the painrelieving properties especially after multiple applications over time. Natural Pain Relief: “I’m not your typical case, I had severe brain stem injury and surgery, I have chronic pain and I will not take painkillers or over-thecounter painkillers, so this is a godsend.” Locally, find our salve at Coastal Dispensary, Beyond Hello, The Farmacy, The Canopy, Ojai Greens, The Roots-Lompoc, or Wheelhouse Cannabis. Or email us for other locations throughout California.
License # CL18—0002738
8
MONTECITO JOURNAL
24 June – 1 July 2021